By Chuan-X Panda
Updated: Sep. 20, 2025 11:32 AM
As china's national treasure, giant pandas are native to China. They are mainly distributed across Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces. Among these, Sichuan ranks first in panda population size, earning Chengdu the title of "hometown of the giant panda." According to reports, by 2025, the number of wild giant pandas in Sichuan reached 1,387, accounting for over 73% of China’s and even the world’s total.
Influenced by their regional environments, pandas from different areas develop unique traits. So, what are Chengdu’s pandas like today? Chuan-X Panda has compiled the following characteristics — let’s explore how Chengdu’s spirit embody pandas:
1. The Gourmet Panda
Chengdu is known as the "Land of Abundance," rich in resources and culinary delights. Locals love food and know how to savor it. Sichuan cuisine, rooted in ancient Ba-Shu civilization, is one of China’s "Four Great Cuisines." Similarly glutton as Chengdu people, an adult pandas spend 12–16 hours a day eating, consuming 12–38 kg of bamboo. That's why they're always seen in videos munching on bamboo or peeling shoots! Sichuan is rich in bamboos, especially the types of bamboos which pandas like to eat.
2. The Leisurely Panda
Chengdu people embrace a "comfortable and leisurely" lifestyle — chatting with friends over meals and savoring slow living. This philosophy has made Chengdu "one of China’s happiest cities." Pandas here also relish their idyllic natural surroundings: strolling through forests, climbing trees to enjoy mountain views, or napping on branches, which highlight the leisure caracteristics of this city. For example, Si Hai, a panda born in Chengdu, known for her relaxed demeanor and unique charm and likes to climb to the top of trees to relax itself, was chosen to reside in Qatar’s panda pavilion for its free nature, bringing joy to local people.
Sergey Sinkins, born in Latvia, a Latin dance judge for the 2025 Chengdu World Games and an all-round judge of the World DanceSport Federation, was deeply impressed by Chengdu's pandas and bought panda toys on the city's streets. He described Chengdu as a very special city where everybody is smiling. He noted that normal people, including even elderly ladies, were dancing joyfully in the streets, which filled him with energy.
3. The Chivalrous Panda
Though pandas look adorable, they were historically called "iron-eating beasts" (食铁兽) for their formidable strength. Influenced by Shu culture, Chengdu’s people have always been warm, generous, and justice-driven. As a 3,000-year-old cultural hub, Chengdu thrives on Taoist and Buddhist traditions, alongside values of integrity and righteousness. Combining the inter agrresive nature, this spirit inspires panda-themed creations like Kung Fu Panda or the "chivalrous panda" (Xiake Panda 侠客熊猫) archetype. Among a lot of cute panda stuff, this type of panda creations seems to more heroic and especial.
4. The Poetic Panda
Chengdu’s millennia-old charm has drawn poets like Li Bai, Du Fu, and Su Shi, who praised it as the "City of Brocade adorned with flowers" (锦官城). Nestled in the Western Sichuan Plains, Chengdu boasts landscapes like Qingcheng Mountain, Xiling Snow Mountain, and the Min River — majestic scenery that fuels poetic inspiration. Thus, Chengdu’s pandas aren’t just fleeting symbols; they are timeless icons rooted in this ancient land, embodying its history and leaving inspirations to many poets. Thus, in this city, you can see many Chinese traditional fans on which poems and pandas coexist.
5. Sci-Fi Panda
Chengdu, a cultural metropolis that blends ancient heritage with modernity, serves as both a bridge to the ancient Shu civilization and a pioneer in China’s sci-fi industry. At the 2023 Chengdu World Science Fiction Convention, a highly futuristic panda mascot made its debut. Adorned with elements of science fiction and ancient culture, this panda—along with many other similar sci-fi panda creations—adds a sense of mystery and innovation to the world of science fiction.
In this historically rich city, numerous modern building with futuristic designs have also been erected. Highlighting both traditional culture and high technology, Chengdu has attracted a growing community of tech and sci-fi talents dedicated to innovation. Dutch science fiction writer Roderick Leeuwhard noted that he plans to incorporate Chinese elements, particularly those from Chengdu, into his future works.
Thus, Chengdu’s pandas are not only cute, traditional, leisurely, food-loving, and martial arts-inspired—they are also innovative, futuristic, and pioneering. In essence, Chengdu’s pandas are more than mascots — they are cultural IPs shaped by the city’s landscapes, history, and lifestyle, bearing a distinctive Chengdu identity.
By combing those different characteristics, more and more local designers present the panda arts and products based on their imaginations inside. This is also what we, Chuan-X Panda insist to do.
Pics from Xiake Panda