CHENGDU — At Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, there is a giant star. 

Thousands of visitors flock to the facility in southwest China's Sichuan province every day to see four-year-old female giant panda He Hua, nicknamed Hua Hua, that people say looks like a triangular rice ball.

Visitors reportedly queue up to three hours to catch a glimpse of the panda, state newspaper People’s Daily reported.

And a line of more than 1,000 visitors wait at the gate of the facility even before it opens at 7.30am to see Hua Hua, Sichuan Television reported, a testament to its star power. 

Online, Hua Hua has amassed a fan base as well, gaining more than 14.7 billion views on Chinese blogging platform Weibo since it was first introduced to the public in 2020.

The topic “giant panda He Hua” consistently received between one to three million views daily in the month of April.

HUA HUA, THE ONIGIRI-SHAPED INTERNET CELEBRITY

Hua Hua’s charm lies in its onigiri-shaped body, which is different from other pandas due to developmental delays. 

As a result, it is reportedly smaller, weaker and has a slower reaction time as compared to its peers.

People’s Daily wrote: “When it runs, it resembles a large, moving rice ball.”

Its distinctive eye circle— shaped like an inverted water droplet — also makes it stand out from the crowd.

It is not just Hua Hua’s physical appearance that draws fans. Its laidback and gentle temperament are reasons why it has grown a following online. 

In one viral video from last November on Chinese short video platform Douyin, another panda named Run Yue at the facility repeatedly snatches away Hua Hua’s freshly peeled bamboo sticks. 

Yet, Hua Hua remained unfazed, choosing to peel another bamboo stick instead. 

By Run Yue's fourth bamboo-nabbing attempt, Hua Hua, wise to the game, simply handed over the peeled treat to its companion.

This video has received 14,700 likes as of Friday (April 19),

One viewer said: “Hua baby doesn’t snatch or put up a fight, it’s seriously so warm.”

Another joked: “Hua Hua’s temper is actually huge, just that it cannot win the fight.”

However, it seems that Hua Hua has deployed some tricks in recent times to push back against the antics of its companions.

In another viral Douyin video posted last September, Hua Hua is munching on an apple slice and Run Yue, nicknamed Second Dog, tries to snatch it.

This time, Hua Hua successfully blocks its attempts with its paw, without even sparing a glance at Run Yue.

In another instance, when Run Yue tries to steal its peeled bamboo again, Hua Hua does a switcheroo and hands Run Yue bamboo skin instead, savouring the peeled bamboo stick when Run Yue leaves.

This fighting spirit has earned Hua Hua the nickname “Niu Hu Lu flower” (钮祜禄花) a Chinese internet slang that describes someone who has grown a backbone and become stronger.

Douyin user “Morningdawn” commented: “Our Hua baby is very clever.”

Another wrote: “Hua Hua is playing tricks again.” 

IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY

Turns out, Hua Hua is part of a family of famous pandas.

Its mother Cheng Gong is known as the "Princess of Cleanliness", for its impeccable grooming habits and regal air. Hua Hua's father Mei Lan was born in the United States.

Big brother Gong Zai was apparently the inspiration for the main character Po from American animation blockbuster Kung Fu Panda.

Hua Hua also has a twin sister named He Ye, which was previously thought to be male. He Ye was found to be female in January after its biological samples were tested, Chinese media reported.

The "giant panda craze" has fuelled consumption in China, with numerous cultural shops in Chengdu and across the country selling panda-related merchandise, the Global Times from China reported.

And the craze over pandas is not restricted to China alone.

Fans are seen fawning over Hua Hua in a video by TikTok user "indipine" posted last Sunday, which has received more than 1.8 million views as of Friday.

A fan wrote: "Hua Hua is my favourite celebrity." 

Some crowned it as panda royalty: "Hua Hua is the princess of China."

Others related to its unusual cuddly shape: "I must admit, I am very much Hua Hua-shaped."

Another TikTok user remarked: "Not to be dramatic, but I would give anything for that panda."

Well, how could anyone say now to that cute and round face?