500 Russian tourists join panda birthday celebration in Hainan

More than 500 Russian tourists made a trip to the Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park and Botanical Garden on Saturday to celebrate the 13th birthdays of giant pandas Gonggong and Shunshun, part of China's only tropical panda-themed cultural tourism brand.

The birthday gala, held on China's National Ecology Day, marked the eighth anniversary of the pandas' arrival on the tropical island province. The pair has since thrived in a carefully managed rainforest environment, becoming a signature attraction for international visitors. So far this year, the park has received 30,300 international tourists, a 148 percent increase year-over-year, according to data from the park.