Cheng Hehua

Basic Profile

Cheng Hehua (Chinese: 成和花), widely known as Hua Hua (花花), is a female giant panda born on July 4, 2020, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. She holds the global studbook number 1237 and has become one of the most recognizable captive-bred pandas in the world.

Names & Nicknames

Hua Hua goes by many beloved names among her fans:

• 花花 (Hua Hua) - Her primary name meaning “flower”
• 果赖 (Guo Lai) - Most famously, she responds to this Sichuan dialect call meaning “come here,” as饲养员谭爷爷 discovered that she ignores “花花” but perks up at “果赖”
• 思宝 (Si Bao) - Given by her corporate sponsor Guangdong Sibao Stainless Steel Products Co.
• 花局长 (Hua Director) - Earned when appointed Honorary Director of Chengdu Culture and Tourism Bureau
• Other affectionate nicknames: 胖花 (Chubby Hua), 霸王花 (Bawang Hua), 小狐狸花 (Little Fox Flower), 荔枝花 (Lychee Flower)

Physical Characteristics

Hua Hua is instantly recognizable by her unique appearance:

• Round Face & Body: Her head seamlessly blends into her body, with almost no visible neck, creating her signature “round as a ball” silhouette
• Pure White Fur: Unlike many pandas whose white fur has a yellowish tint, Hua Hua’s coat is exceptionally white
• Triangle Sitting Posture: She famously sits with legs stretched forward and back straight, forming a distinctive triangle shape that has become her signature pose
• Unique Eye Patches: Her eye patches are an inverted water-drop shape, pointed at the bottom when young, becoming rounder with age but maintaining a wide-top, narrow-bottom shape
• Special Hoof Markings: Born with white bands on her hooves; her right hoof’s white marking has become more prominent over time
• Right Hoof Deformity: Her right hind hoof has an outward-turning paw pad, which causes her slower running gait and adds to her endearing clumsiness
• Narrow Snout: Described by fans as “little fox flower” due to her pointed snout
• Unusual Shoulder Stripes: Her shoulder stripes sit high and have irregular edges, resembling a warrior saluting or a maiden praying

Family & Lineage

Parents

Hua Hua comes from distinguished panda lineage:

Father: Mei Lan (美兰), Studbook #649

• Born September 6, 2006, at Zoo Atlanta, USA
• Initially mistaken for female and raised accordingly - famously docile, slow-moving, delicate eater
• Returned to China in February 2010 and discovered to be male after showing male maturity behaviors
• Later served as global ambassador for WWF’s “Earth Hour” campaign
• His gentle, relaxed temperament appears to have been passed to Hua Hua

Mother: Cheng Gong (成功), Studbook #522

• Nicknamed “Princess with OCD” (洁癖公主) for her exceptionally clean habits
• Known to refuse dirty food and bathe regularly
• Passed on her white fur coloring and refined features to Hua Hua

Siblings & Extended Family

Twin Sister: He Ye (和叶), Studbook #1238

• Born same date, same place, same litter
• Known for her more energetic and mischievous personality
• Often seen playfully competing with or defending Hua Hua

Full and Half-Siblings (from successful mother):

• Gong Zai (功仔), Studbook #711: Elder brother, born July 26, 2008 - the inspiration for Po in “Kung Fu Panda”
• He Qi & He Mei (和琪/和美), Studbooks #821/#822: Sisters born August 12, 2011
• He Xing & He Sheng (和兴/和盛), Studbooks #875/#876: Brothers born July 23, 2013
• He Feng & He Yu (和风/和雨), Studbooks #1028/#1029: Born August 9, 2016

Paternal Half-Siblings (from Mei Lan):

• Meng Lan (萌兰), Studbook #978: Elder brother, famous “escape artist” panda
• Cheng Lan (成兰): Elder brother
• Xing Guang (星光): Elder brother
• Si Yun Yun (思筠筠): Elder brother
• Meng Bao & Meng Yu (萌宝/萌玉): Elder twin sisters
• Qiqiao (七巧) & Qixi (七喜): Elder sisters
• Da Mei (大美): Elder sister
• Cheng Feng (成风) & Cheng Lang (成浪): Elder siblings
• Ji Xiao (绩笑): Elder sister

Table Cousins (from other siblings of successful):

• Hua Zui Ba (花嘴巴): Cousin, daughter of Success’s sister
• Ai Jiu (艾玖): Cousin, born same day as Hua Hua
• Xiang Guo (香果): Cousin

Extended Paternal Lineage (Mei Lan’s Family)

Grandparents:

• Yang Yang (洋洋), Studbook #473: Paternal grandfather - famous panda at Atlanta Zoo
• Lun Lun (伦伦), Studbook #489: Paternal grandmother

Uncles & Aunts (Mei Lan’s siblings):

• Xi Lan (喜兰): Paternal uncle
• Ya Lun (雅伦): Paternal aunt
• Xi Lun (喜伦): Paternal aunt
• Mei Lun (美轮): Paternal aunt

Maternal Grandparents:

• Kobe (科比): Maternal grandfather
• Cheng Cheng (成成): Maternal grandmother

Maternal Aunts & Uncles:

• Cheng Ji (成绩): Maternal aunt
• Hua Zui Ba (花嘴巴): Maternal cousin

Peers Born Same Time (July 2020, Moon Birthing Room)

• Run Yue (润玥): Born July 7, 2020 - famously steals food from Hua Hua
• Ai Jiu (艾玖): Born July 7, 2020
• Jin Xi (金喜) & Jin Shuang (金双): Twin sisters
• Fu Shuang (福双): Born July 17, 2020
• Qing Chong Yang (庆重阳): Born August 2020
• Qing Zhu Yu (庆茱萸): Born August 2020

Nieces:

• Ai Jiu (艾玖): Daughter of He Qi
• Xiang Guo (香果): Daughter of Hua Zui Ba

Rise to Fame: The Making of a Panda Superstar

2023: The Year Hua Hua Went Viral

In 2023, Hua Hua became an internet sensation across Chinese social media platforms. The hashtag “熊猫和花” (Panda Hua Hua) topped trending lists multiple times and dominated rankings for extended periods.

The “Bamboo Shoot Robbery” Videos

The videos that truly catapulted Hua Hua to stardom showed her repeatedly being outwitted by other pandas when it came to food:

• In one viral clip, Hua Hua carefully peels a bamboo shoot, only to have it snatched away by Run Yue (润玥)
• She tries again and again, each time losing her carefully prepared food
• Eventually, she gives up entirely and tosses her peeled shoot to Run Yue without resistance
• Fans flooded social media with comments expressing sympathy for the gentle panda

The “One Block That Made History”

Hua Hua finally stood her ground in a memorable moment: while eating an apple, her sister He Ye attempted to steal her food. Hua Hua suddenly raised her left hand to shield herself - a gesture that broke the internet. “This one block changed everything” became a viral phrase as fans celebrated her finally asserting herself.

Personality & Character

Calm & Gentle Temperament

Hua Hua is celebrated for her exceptionally relaxed, almost meditative demeanor:

• Moves slowly and deliberately, never rushing
• Sits in her signature triangle posture for extended periods
• Rarely shows aggression or frustration
• Known as one of the few pandas still approachable by visitors even after age two

Understanding Sichuan Dialect (“果赖召唤术”)

As a native “Sichuan child,” Hua Hua is especially responsive to the local dialect:

• Ignores: Her formal name “花花”
• Responds to: “果赖” (meaning “come here” in Sichuan dialect)
• Keeper Tan Jin Tao (谭金淘), affectionately called “Tan Grandpa” (谭爷爷), discovered that she associates “果赖” with food and will slowly turn her head and waddle over when called

The “Model Employee” - Understanding Commands

Hua Hua is renowned for her ability to understand human commands:

• Will pose for photos when visitors ask
• Responds to verbal cues from keepers
• Known to cooperate during health checkups and grooming sessions
• Her patience and cooperation make her ideal for educational interactions

Bathing & Grooming Habits

Unlike many pandas who dislike water, Hua Hua is relatively fastidious:

• Will sit in a basin and allow keepers to wash her with a cloth
• Responds to the command for baths without resistance
• This trait, inherited from her fastidious mother Cheng Gong, adds to her unique personality

Timeline of Notable Events

2020: Birth & Early Life

• July 4, 2020: Born at Chengdu Base Moon birthing room, weighing 200 grams
• July 2020: Adopted by Guangdong Sibao Stainless Steel Co., renamed “Sibao” (思宝) and “Pan Ao” (盼奥)
• September 2020: First public debut, drawing significant media attention

2022: Growing Popularity

• July 4, 2022: Celebrates second birthday at the base’s juvenile panda garden with twin sister He Ye

2023: Rise to Superstardom

• July 4, 2023: Third birthday celebration attracts massive crowds and viral social media content
• July 2023: Featured in the promotional video “New Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains: Dynamic Sichuan” for the 31st Chengdu Summer Universiade, sharing screen time with keeper Tan Grandpa
• Late 2023: Social media explosion - “熊猫和花” tops multiple platform trending lists
• Visitor Surge: Chengdu Base experiences record attendance; security guards use loudspeakers to redirect crowds, famously saying: “There are so many pandas here, yet you only want to see this one!” and “If you can’t see Hua Hua, you can go see her dad and mom!“

2024: Official Recognition & Challenges

• February 2024: New Year’s Eve incident - Hua Hua is accidentally left outside the enclosure overnight; the base responds by terminating the responsible keeper’s contract and confirming Hua Hua’s health is normal
• February 2024: Appears as special guest at CCTV Spring Festival Gala
• April 2024: Appointed Honorable Director of Chengdu Culture and Tourism Bureau - the first panda to hold an official government position, continuing her duties of eating bamboo and being adorable
• September 2024: Begins independent living arrangement, separating from twin sister He Ye

2025: Ambassador Role

• July 2025: Appointed “Pet Experience Officer” for Hilton Group’s “No Matter the Size, We Love You” summer campaign

Famous Moments & Internet Highlights

The Bamboo Shoot Incident (笋子被抢事件)

Perhaps Hua Hua’s most iconic moments come from her food struggles:

• Her patient, careful eating style makes her an easy target for more assertive pandas
• The viral sequence shows her peeling bamboo shoots with care, only to have them stolen
• Her eventual acceptance of sharing (throwing food to the robber) endeared her to millions
• The contrast between her careful preparation and the theft created compelling “drama”

The Protective Shield Moment (抬手挡和叶)

When He Ye attempted to steal her apple, Hua Hua finally responded:

• A sudden, unexpected gesture of self-defense
• The “one block” became a symbol of pandas standing up for themselves
• Fans created countless memes and reactions to this moment
• The contrast of her usual gentle nature with this assertive move made it memorable

Understanding “Fruit Lai” (果赖)

Hua Hua’s response to her Sichuan nickname showcases her intelligence:

• Keeper Tan discovered she responds to “果赖” but not her official name
• This became a popular tourist activity - calling “果赖” to see her turn around
• Demonstrates the special bond between keeper and panda
• Highlights how individual pandas learn specific cues and associations

Cultural Impact & Conservation Ambassador

Drawing Record Crowds

Hua Hua’s fame has had measurable impact on Chengdu Base attendance:

• Queues to see her sometimes exceed 2 hours
• The base implemented a single-flow visitor system with 30-person groups and 3-minute viewing windows
• Security measures had to be enhanced to manage the unprecedented crowds

Official Roles & Recognition

• Honorary Director of Chengdu Culture and Tourism Bureau (April 2024)
• Hilton Group Pet Experience Officer (July 2025)
• Featured in government promotional materials for the Chengdu Universiade
• Represented in the CCTV Spring Festival Gala (2024)

Symbol of Conservation Success

Hua Hua represents the achievements of modern panda conservation:

• Born through successful artificial breeding programs
• Healthy, well-adjusted individual demonstrating excellent care
• Her popularity raises awareness for giant panda conservation efforts
• Helps generate funding and public support for habitat protection

Sources & Further Reading

• Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (official records)
• Global Giant Panda Studbook (international breeding records)
• iPanda Panda Channel official WeChat publications
• Media reports from Xinhua, CCTV, and major Chinese news outlets (2020-2025)
• Social media documentation and fan community records