2007-07-29 06:50:41
Within weeks, two young panda cubs will make their public debut at Hong Kong's Ocean Park resort, a gift from the mainland to celebrate the city's return to the motherland. Crowds of admirers will greet them and they themselves can be forgiven if they look a little startled by all the attention they receive.
Le Le and Ying Ying have come a fairly long way from their native Sichuan, especially so after several months in quarantine. But they will have at least been a little prepared for their reception as the province's capital, Chengdu, has been gearing up its tourism market for people who want to see the cute, apparently cuddly creature close-up.
Giant pandas have indeed made headlines recently. Such attention is now putting Chengdu firmly on people's "must-visit" cities in China - unlike five years ago when the pre-dammed Three Gorges was the "highlight." And the city and its star attractions do not let you down. (Source: Shenzhen Daily)
