Meng Lan

Basic Profile

Meng Lan (Chinese: 萌兰), widely known as “West Straight Gate Third Prince” (西直门三太子) for his residence at Beijing Zoo located on Xizhimen Outer Street, is a male giant panda born on July 4, 2015, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. He carries the global studbook number 954 and weighs approximately 145 kg, making him one of the largest pandas at Beijing Zoo.

Names & Nicknames

Meng Lan has earned an extraordinary collection of nicknames reflecting his multifaceted personality:

• 西直门三太子 (West Straight Gate Third Prince) — His most famous nickname, derived from his home at Beijing Zoo on Xizhimen Outer Street and his position as the third cub of his mother Meng Meng
• 么么儿 (Me Me Er) — Sichuan dialect term of endearment given by his keepers, meaning “Meng Meng’s baby”
• 萌三 (Meng San) — Short for “the third child”
• 萌三太子 (Meng San Taizi) — Combining “Meng San” with “prince”
• 战五渣 (Zhan Wu Zha) — A playful nickname meaning “combat power of 5渣,” referring to his surprisingly timid personality despite his size

Physical Characteristics

Meng Lan is instantly recognizable for his distinctive appearance:

• Round Face: His perfectly round, wide face has been described as “Bai De Yao Si” (白德耀斯) — a Chinese internet term for exceptionally white and adorable round pandas
• “Mickey Mouse” Ears: His large, round, widely set ears are affectionately called “Mickey Duoduo” (米奇朵朵) by fans
• Smiling Mouth: A naturally upturned mouth line gives him a perpetually cheerful expression
• White Coat: Exceptionally clean white fur that contrasts sharply with his black patches
• Large Build: At 145 kg, he is notably larger than most male pandas his age, a fact his keepers tease him about

Family & Lineage

Parents

Meng Lan comes from one of the most distinguished panda lineages in captivity:

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
• His gentle temperament passed to Meng Lan, who combines it with his mother’s energy
• Also father of Hua Hua (Cheng Hehua), making Meng Lan one of many half-siblings to the famous Chengdu celebrity

Mother: Meng Meng (萌萌), Studbook #652

• Born September 13, 2006, at Chengdu Base
• Known as “Beijing Zoo Oscar Actress” (北动影后) for her expressive, spirited personality
• Her energetic and dramatic character is the source of Meng Lan’s more playful side
• Transferred from Chengdu to Beijing Zoo, where Meng Lan later joined her

Siblings

Meng Lan is the third cub of his mother Meng Meng:

Maternal Half-Siblings (same mother, different father):

• Meng Da (萌大): Older half-brother
• Meng Er (萌二): Older half-brother, also known as Meng Xiao (萌小)

Full Siblings (same parents Mei Lan & Meng Meng):

• Meng Bao (萌宝): Younger full sister
• Meng Yu (萌玉): Younger full sister

Paternal Half-Siblings (from Mei Lan): Meng Lan shares father Mei Lan with a vast number of half-siblings, including:

• Cheng Hehua / Hua Hua (和花): Famous internet celebrity panda at Chengdu Base
• He Ye (和叶): Hua Hua’s twin sister
• Meng Lan (萌兰): — himself
• Qi Qiao (七巧) & Qi Xi (七喜): Older sisters
• Si Nian (思念) & Si Yun Yun (思筠筠): Younger brothers
• Ji Mei (绩美): Younger brother
• He Feng (和风): Younger brother
• Cheng Lan (成兰): Younger brother
• Fu Duo Duo (福多多): Younger half-sister
• Xing Guang (星光) & Xing Chen (星辰): Younger siblings
• Da Mei (大美): Younger sister
• Cheng Feng (成风) & Cheng Lang (成浪): Younger siblings
• Ji Xiao (绩笑): Younger sister
• He Yu (和雨): Younger sister
• Ji Lan (绩兰): Younger sister

Grandparents & Extended Lineage

Paternal Grandparents (Mei Lan’s parents):

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

Maternal Grandparents (Meng Meng’s parents):

• Ling Ling (灵灵): Maternal grandfather — from Chongqing Zoo
• Ying Ying (英英, Studbook #399): Maternal grandmother — rescued from the wild in Wolong in 1992

Maternal Great-Grandparents:

• Chuan Chuan (川川): Maternal great-grandfather
• Xin Xing (新星): Maternal great-grandmother — one of the oldest pandas on record, lived to age 38

Early Life at Chengdu Base (2015-2017)

“The Panda Who Sleeps on His Back”

From the moment he was born, Meng Lan stood out. While all other newborn panda cubs slept on their stomachs, Meng Lan preferred to sleep on his back — legs in the air, belly exposed. This seemingly small behavioral quirk made him an instant sensation on Chinese social media, establishing his “celebrity panda” status before he was even weaned.

”Moon Nursery Bully” to “Combat Zero”

As a cub in the Chengdu Base’s Moon Nursery, Meng Lan earned the nickname “Moon Nursery Little Tyrant” (月亮小霸王). He was the largest and most confident of the 2015 cohort and would regularly pounce on and chew on his smaller friends, especially the twin brothers Qing Da and Qing Xiao.

However, as panda wisdom goes: “A fierce cub grows into a gentle giant.” As Meng Lan grew older, he transformed from bully to victim. The same pandas he once dominated began to outweigh and outplay him. He became famously known as a “Zhan Wu Zha” (战五渣) — a comedic term meaning his combat effectiveness was virtually zero. Fans delighted in watching him get pushed around by pandas half his size.

The Osteomyelitis Battle (2017)

In January 2017, during a routine health check, Chengdu Base veterinarians discovered a hard swelling on Meng Lan’s mandible. Blood tests showed elevated white blood cell counts, though he showed no signs of pain or fever. A team of specialists, including experts from West China Hospital of Stomatology, was assembled.

On May 8, 2017, the swelling became hot and painful, and a cystic pocket formed between the skin and bone. The diagnosis: chronic osteomyelitis of the mandible.

Meng Lan underwent a rigorous treatment protocol:

1. Incision and drainage of the abscess with necrotic tissue removal
2. Cleaning of oral ulcerative fistulas
3. Pathological tissue examination
4. Systemic anti-infection and intravenous nutritional support

After 10 days of around-the-clock care from a dedicated team of veterinarians and keepers, his wound healed completely by May 23, 2017. His appetite returned to normal — consuming 10-13 kg of bamboo daily — and blood指标 normalized.

Meng Lan celebrated his second birthday on July 4, 2017, at the Chengdu Base’s No. 2 Villa, sharing an ice cake prepared by the panda kitchen with his friends.

Life at Beijing Zoo (2017-Present)

The Move North

On September 21, 2017, Meng Lan and his cousin Dian Dian flew from Chengdu to Beijing. After a month-long quarantine, they made their public debut at Beijing Zoo on October 16, 2017. The zoo’s Olympic Panda Hall was redesigned with new climbing structures, colorful balls, and enrichment toys to welcome the young arrivals.

The Birth of “West Straight Gate Third Prince”

At Beijing Zoo, Meng Lan’s fame exploded. His combination of stunning looks, high intelligence, and mischievous personality made him a media darling. Fans began calling him “West Straight Gate Third Prince” — a title that captured his royal bearing and his address at Beijing Zoo on Xizhimen Outer Street.

The Escapes

December 15, 2021 — First Escape At around 11:30 AM, Meng Lan was playing in the outdoor enclosure when he stepped on a red exercise ball, grabbed a spray pipe, and hoisted himself over the 2-meter-high围栏. He climbed into the buffer zone behind the exhibit — a non-public area. Keepers calmly诱引 him back with food. The incident was resolved without injury, and the zoo repaired the spray pipe he had bent.

October 15, 2024 — Second Escape Attempt Meng Lan again climbed the enclosure wall. This time, the zoo quickly installed a small iron sheet as a temporary barrier, then upgraded it to transparent acrylic panels by October 21 to maintain visitor sightlines while preventing further escapes.

Health Incidents

October 25, 2023 — Paw Injury Keepers discovered blood on the enclosure’s climbing frame. Investigation revealed that a bamboo splinter had cut Meng Lan’s left front paw pad. The wound was cleaned and disinfected by veterinarians. He continued eating and moving normally throughout the observation period.

Personality & Character

”Quiet Like Father, Wild Like Mother”

Meng Lan is often described as a perfect blend of his parents’ contrasting personalities. From his father Mei Lan, he inherited a calm, observant, almost meditative patience. From his mother Meng Meng, he inherited boundless energy, dramatic flair, and a mischievous streak.

Exceptional Intelligence

Keepers and fans consistently remark on Meng Lan’s problem-solving abilities:

• He understands and responds to Sichuan dialect commands from his keepers
• He has been observed planning escape routes before executing them
• He engages with enrichment toys in complex ways that suggest forethought
• Known to “negotiate” with keepers — holding up treats and waiting for better ones

Physical Achievements

Despite his “Zhan Wu Zha” combat status, Meng Lan is remarkably athletic:

• Expert tree climber, often scaling the tallest structures in his enclosure
• Performs “splits” (一字马) in tree forks — a signature pose
• Does “sit-ups” (仰卧起坐) by repeatedly sitting up from a lying position
• Known for his flexible, acrobatic movements despite his large frame

The Sichuan Dialect Connection

Like Hua Hua, Meng Lan responds to Sichuan dialect — a legacy of his Chengdu upbringing. Videos of keepers speaking to him in Sichuanese and watching him respond with head tilts and grunts have millions of views.

”I Won’t Accept Being Over 100 kg”

When keepers weighed him and he exceeded 100 kg, Meng Lan reportedly threw a tantrum, refusing to eat and “arguing” with his keepers. The incident became a viral news story, endearing him further to fans who saw his weight consciousness as surprisingly human.

Timeline of Notable Events

2015

• July 4: Born at Chengdu Base, weighing approximately 180 grams
• First panda of the 2015 cohort to gain widespread social media attention for his back-sleeping habit

2017

• January: Routine exam reveals mandibular swelling;初步 diagnosis of osteomyelitis
• May 8:确诊感染性骨髓炎; begins intensive treatment
• May 23: Wound fully healed; appetite and behavior return to normal
• July 4: Celebrates second birthday at Chengdu Base
• September 21: Flown to Beijing Zoo with cousin Dian Dian
• October 16: Public debut at Beijing Zoo

2021

• December 15: First enclosure escape; climbs into buffer zone; safely诱引 back with food

2023

• July 4: 8th birthday celebrated at Beijing Zoo with custom cake and decorations
• October 25: Left front paw cut by bamboo splinter; treated by veterinarians; recovery uneventful

2024

• July: 9th birthday month; spotted riding and cuddling his favorite wooden rocking horse
• July 4: Birthday MV “Meng San San Tai Zi” (萌三三太子) released by pandapia, featuring footage from Chengdu and Beijing
• October 15: Second enclosure climbing incident
• October 21: Zoo installs transparent acrylic barrier as permanent preventive measure

Cultural Impact & Commercial Recognition

Social Media Phenomenon

Meng Lan’s videos have accumulated hundreds of millions of views across Chinese platforms. His content ranges from his famous “escapes” to his daily interactions with keepers, his acrobatic splits, and his dramatic reactions to being weighed.

Commercial Partnerships

In a rare move for a panda, Meng Lan has been featured in commercial collaborations:

• CASETiFY collaboration: A co-branded product line including phone cases and AirPods cases, featuring designs of Meng Lan doing splits in a tree fork, eating bamboo in a二月兰 flower field, and other signature poses
• His image has been licensed for plush toys, with one product line selling out repeatedly in 2023

The “Panda Economy” Effect

In 2023, the surge in panda interest — driven largely by stars like Meng Lan, Hua Hua, and Fu Bao — created a measurable economic impact. On Taobao and Tmall, the keyword “panda” saw a 10x increase in search volume from February to March 2023. Plush panda toys, especially Meng Lan仿真 replicas, were in constant short supply.

Drives Record Attendance

Meng Lan is widely credited as one of the main attractions driving record visitor numbers at Beijing Zoo. Fan clubs organize regular visits, and his enclosure consistently draws the largest crowds of any animal at the zoo.

Ambassador Role

As one of China’s most visible captive pandas, Meng Lan serves as an informal cultural ambassador, drawing public attention to giant panda conservation efforts and the importance of habitat protection in the Qinling and Minshan mountain ranges.

Sources & Further Reading

• Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (official records, 2015-2017)
• Beijing Zoo official announcements (2017-2024)
• China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda — osteomyelitis treatment report (2017)
• Xinhua News Agency reports on Meng Lan’s enclosure incidents (2021, 2024)
• Pandapia documentary footage and birthday MV (萌三三太子, 2024)
• Social media documentation from fan communities (2015-2025)
• CASETiFY official collaboration announcement (2024)