Ya Yi

Basic Profile

Ya Yi (Chinese: 雅一), is a female giant panda born on August 27, 2013, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. She carries the global studbook number 903 and has become one of the most beloved pandas at Guangzhou Zoo.

Physical Characteristics

Ya Yi is instantly recognizable by her distinctive features:

• Round face with long, beautiful eyelashes
• Narrow shoulder stripe with a unique “middle part” (中分发缝) hair pattern on her back
• Medium build, typical of a healthy adult female panda

Personality

Ya Yi is known for her exceptionally active and curious temperament:

• “Aerial Yoga” Expert: She loves climbing trees, swinging from branches, and performing acrobatic poses that keepers and fans call “空中瑜伽” (aerial yoga)
• Enthusiastic Explorer: She eagerly investigates every new enrichment item placed in her enclosure
• Sweet Tooth: Shows clear preference for sweet fruits, especially corn and pumpkin
• “Ren Lai Feng” (人来疯): Gets visibly excited when crowds gather, becoming more active and表演欲旺盛
• Playful Destroyer: Known to systematically dismantle bamboo baskets and enrichment toys
• Affectionate: Described by keepers as撒娇 (act coy) with her caretakers

Diet

Ya Yi’s daily diet at Guangzhou Zoo consists primarily of locally grown bamboo varieties:

• Bamboo: Golden Bamboo (黄金间碧竹), Ma Bamboo (麻竹), and Buddha Belly Bamboo (佛肚竹)
• Daily consumption: Approximately 50 kg of bamboo leaves and 30 kg of bamboo stalks
• Treats: Corn, pumpkin, bamboo shoots, steamed bread (窝窝头), and ice treats
• Feeding time: 12-16 hours per day spent foraging and eating

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Family & Lineage

Parents

Father: Yong Yong (勇勇)

• Ya Yi’s sire, a male panda at Chengdu Base

Mother: Xing Ya (星雅)

• Female panda at Chengdu Base

Siblings

• Ya Er (雅二): Twin brother, born same day August 27, 2013
• He Sheng (和盛): Brother
• Yuan Run (园润): Sister
• Miao Miao (淼淼): Sister

Extended Family

• Xing Yi (星一): Cousin (表兄), lives with Ya Yi at Guangzhou Zoo — they are often referred to as brother and sister by the public
• Xing Guang (星光): Younger brother
• Xing Chen (星辰): Younger sister
• Xing Qing (星晴): Younger sister

Grandmother: Shu Qing (蜀庆) Maternal Grandfather: Bing Xing (冰星) Maternal Grandmother: Er Ya Tou (二丫头)

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Life Journey

Chengdu Base (2013-2016)

Ya Yi spent her first years at the Chengdu Research Base, growing up alongside her twin brother Ya Er and other cubs of the 2013 cohort.

Move to Guangzhou Zoo (2016)

On January 29, 2016, Ya Yi and her cousin Xing Yi arrived at Guangzhou Zoo, replacing the twin sisters Wen Li and Wen Ya who had returned to Chengdu. The pair made their public debut immediately, drawing large crowds to the zoo.

Temporary Return to Chengdu (2017)

In January 2017, Guangzhou Zoo closed its panda house for renovation. Ya Yi and Xing Yi returned to Chengdu temporarily while the facility underwent a complete upgrade.

Return to Upgraded Zoo (2018)

On January 18, 2018, Ya Yi and Xing Yi flew back to Guangzhou and moved into the newly renovated panda house. The upgraded facility featured expanded indoor and outdoor spaces with improved enrichment structures.

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Timeline of Notable Events

2013

• August 27: Born at Chengdu Base with twin brother Ya Er

2016

• January 29: Moved to Guangzhou Zoo with Xing Yi, replacing Wen Li and Wen Ya

2017

• January: Temporarily returned to Chengdu during Guangzhou Zoo panda house renovation

2018

• January 18: Returned to Guangzhou Zoo after renovation
• August 23: Celebrated 5th birthday (“adulthood” ceremony) with Xing Yi at Guangzhou Zoo

2022

• August 23: 9th birthday celebration; invited primary school students from Guangzhou Zhongxing Primary School to participate in the event

2023

• March 12: Found and drank from a discarded visitor beverage, sparking public discussion about visitor conduct at the zoo
• August: 10th birthday celebration livestreamed across multiple platforms, attracting over 10,000 participants

2024

• August: 11th birthday; received a birthday flower wall made of flowers, fruits, and vegetables

2025

• June: Passed health assessment conducted by Chengdu Base expert team
• August: 12th birthday with a National Games (全运) theme; enclosure decorated with bamboo soccer goals and flower-filled bamboo-woven balls; ice cake provided
• October: “Guangdong Zoo Tram” (广动号) panda-themed tram launched, featuring Ya Yi’s aerial gymnastics image on its exterior
• October: New panda house opened at Guangzhou Zoo; Ya Yi, Xing Yi, Jiu Jiu (久久), and You You (友友) formed the “National Treasure F4” (国宝F4)

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Cultural Impact & Guangzhou Icon

The “Aerial Yoga” Star

Videos of Ya Yi performing acrobatic moves — hanging from branches, swinging, and posing — have accumulated millions of views online, earning her the reputation as Guangzhou’s most athletic panda.

Cantonese Connection

Keepers at Guangzhou Zoo communicate with Ya Yi in Cantonese. Videos of her responding to Cantonese commands — such as a keeper saying “你自己拿着” (hold it yourself) in Cantonese while handing her corn ice — went viral, with fans commenting “一方水土养一方熊猫” (each place raises its own pandas).

Visitor Guidelines

Due to Ya Yi’s sensitive nature, Guangzhou Zoo has implemented specific guidelines for visitors:

• Maintain quiet when viewing the pandas
• Do not call out their names loudly
• Do not drop or discard food or beverages in the enclosure

Conservation Ambassador

As the first giant panda to reside long-term at Guangzhou Zoo, Ya Yi has:

• Raised awareness about giant panda conservation among Guangzhou residents
• Attracted millions of visitors to the zoo
• Supported the zoo’s educational programs about wildlife protection
• Demonstrated the success of ex-situ conservation management

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Sources & Further Reading

• Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (birth records)
• Guangzhou Zoo official announcements (2016-2025)
• Media coverage of Ya Yi’s birthdays and events (Guangzhou Daily, Southern Metropolis Daily)
• Social media documentation from fan communities (2016-2025)
• Guangzhou Zoo panda house renovation records (2017-2018)