Pandas' Birthday Celebration at Lingling Circus

Help! The pandas' birthday celebration at Lingling Circus was truly out of this world!
Who would have thought you could attend a national treasure's birthday party right here in Xiamen? Twin pandas "Sinian" and "Siyunjun" celebrated their 10th birthday, and Lingling Circus pulled out all the stops—this wasn't just a birthday party, it was a city-wide happiness fest! 🎁
🐼 The birthday stars were unbearably adorable!
The two chubby pandas sat in front of their ice cake munching on bamboo. Suddenly, one of them rolled over, revealing its soft pink belly, and the crowd erupted in "auntie smiles" that almost lifted the roof! I was snapping photos like crazy, but my phone's memory filled up instantly (still deleting photos to make space, haha).
🍚 The joy of being treated to a panda feast!
A long banquet table was set up in the theater square, with fragrant bamboo rice served fresh. Kids were drooling as they grabbed their meal tickets and rushed to the delicious food. The sticky rice mixed with meat was heavenly! Nearby, staff dressed in panda costumes handed out limited-edition cookies, with packaging featuring pandas rolling around—too cute to eat!
💪 Buff panda mascots stole the show!
While watching the pandas eat, a sudden commotion caught my attention—a muscular guy wearing a panda headpiece was interacting with the crowd! His broad shoulders and toned arms peeking out as he handed out autographed photos had the ladies screaming "ooh" and "ahh" so loudly it almost burst my eardrums (yes, I secretly took a photo too, shh).
🦖 Jurassic Rainforest Festival and dinosaur encounters
The Jurassic Rainforest Festival was pure joy for the kids. A life-sized T-Rex stood in the rainforest, opening and closing its mouth while letting out thunderous roars. At first, my little one hid in dad's arms, peeking out cautiously, but soon he was pointing at the dinosaur and shouting excitedly. The rainforest water fight was a blast—we brought water guns, and the little guy ran around spraying everyone, soaking wet but laughing like a little maniac. Good thing we packed extra clothes, or he'd have gone home in his birthday suit!
🎊 Don't miss the afternoon float parade! Dinosaur-themed floats rolled by, with performers in Jurassic costumes dancing and interacting to the music. My little one was mesmerized, waving his tiny arms and legs to the rhythm—absolutely adorable. Besides dinosaurs, the park had plenty of other animals. Alpacas chased people for food, flamingos stood by the lake like a painting, and during the sea lion show, my kid clapped along, thoroughly entertained.
🦦 Capybara "luxury villas" made me green with envy!
The newly expanded capybara area was like a vacation resort! Blue-and-white pools with beach umbrellas, and capybaras floating in the water like old men soaking in hot springs. One even rested its paw on the pool edge, as if saying, "Come on, join me in chilling out!" Feeding them leafy greens was a delight—their soft mouths tickled my palms, so soothing I wanted to move in right then and there!
🏠 Giraffe Manor accommodations
The moment we entered the manor, we were blown away—it felt like stepping into the African savanna. Our giraffe-themed room was a treasure. Opening the balcony door, we saw giraffes strolling nearby. As soon as we offered a feeding branch, a giraffe named "Qizai" slowly extended its head, curling its long tongue around the branch and munching away. My little one was startled at first, hiding in my arms, but then curiosity got the better of him, and he reached out to touch it. His expression was a mix of fear and bravery, making us laugh endlessly.
🍮 Kenyan-style afternoon tea is a must!
Sitting on the outdoor lawn, with giraffes leisurely wandering in the background, and holding exquisite tea treats in hand, I almost felt like I was in the African savanna. My husband couldn't stop taking photos, saying the scene was more captivating than a wildlife documentary. When he posted it on social media, everyone in the comments asked if we had traveled abroad.
As a lazy mom, I have to praise the service here. The hotel package included feeding branches and park tickets, saving us extra expenses—so convenient! Hotel guests also had access to a fast-track entrance, avoiding peak crowds, making it much easier to enjoy with kids. A tip for parents with young children: feed the giraffes in the morning when they're most active; in the afternoon, they tend to hide from the heat. The rainforest area has lots of mosquitoes, so be prepared with insect repellent and sunscreen. Hanging a mosquito net on the stroller is highly recommended.
This Lingling experience was absolutely divine! Even our 1-year-old had a blast. We celebrated the pandas' birthday with the whole city, indulged in delicious food, and had a stress-free, fun-filled time! I highly recommend booking a hotel package that includes park tickets—it’s cost-effective and hassle-free. Bringing kids here lets them bond with animals and play to their heart's content, making both adults and children happy. It's undoubtedly the ultimate family outing spot in Xiamen! Xiamen Lingling Animal Kingdom Lingling Circus Xiamen Lingling Giraffe Manor Hotel