Panda fever sweeps Taiwan

Source: Xinhua | 01-28-2009 09:36

TAIPEI, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- A Giant panda fever has swept Taiwan since a pair of pandas from the Chinese mainland made their official debut at a Taipei zoo Monday, the first day of Chinese Lunar new year.

A total of 18,899 people flocked to the Taipei Zoo to see the pandas Tuesday, according to the zoo.

A Giant panda fever has swept Taiwan since a pair of pandas from the Chinese mainland made their official debut at a  Taipei zoo Monday, the first day of Chinese Lunar new year.

Despite rainy weather, many lined up before the zoo in early morning, waiting to see the 4-year-old bears, "Tuan Tuan" and "Yuan Yuan" (together meaning "reunion").

More than 5,000 people visited the pandas within the first 90 minutes of the opening of the zoo Monday.

The zoo limits panda visitors to 22,000 each day.

The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation, which operates the city's Metro system, on Tuesday launched two special trains which were painted with cartoon images of the pandas.

Launching the train, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-pin urged the citizens to try to use public transport to the zoo in order to avoid traffic congestion. He then took the train with a group of children to the zoo.