China cans hotel's red panda 'wake-up call' service
HONG KONG — For fans of the red panda, it would have been the ultimate experience — a wake-up call from one of the furry creatures on your hotel bed.
But that was until pictures and videos went viral on Chinese social media, prompting a crackdown by authorities in the country.
In one video verified by NBC News, Huang Wei, who booked the 'wake-up call' service at the LocaJoy River & Holiday Hotel in China's southwestern Chongqing city, was filmed partially under his blanket and can be heard telling the staff the panda playing on the bed was 'really cute.'
The creature then eats food placed on the 28-year-old interior design store manager's hand by a member of the staff. 'He's not scared of the cold,' the staff member says, adding that its thick fur meant it was not affected by the room's air conditioning.
'I usually have a terrible morning temper, but today I'm so happy to be woken up by a red panda,' Huang wrote in a caption on the video that was posted last week on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote.
In a separate interview via a messaging app, Huang said the red panda stayed at his room for about five minutes, and hotel guests can interact with the animals during a one-hour morning session and 90-minute afternoon session downstairs in the hotel.
'It's truly a joyful experience to get up close with rare and adorable animals,' he said.
But his original video drew criticism from some of his fellow social media users.
Red pandas are an endangered species in China, and even though Chongqing is known for both its large panda population and as a hot spot for panda tourism, China's wildlife protection law states that "safety management measures" must be followed if any wild animals are used for performances.
Asked for comment, LocaJoy River & Holiday Hotel referred NBC News to Chongqing's forestry bureau, which in turned called the practice "inappropriate" in a statement, which said it should be "immediately stopped.'
The company which owns the hotel, the Animal Theme Park of Chongqing Leheledu Travel Co. Ltd., did have a license to breed certain wildlife species, including red pandas, the statement said.
But, it said, licensed breeding activities must ensure 'adequate space for animal activity, proper hygiene and health conditions, qualified personnel,' and hotel staff had violated these regulations.
The forestry bureau also confirmed the hotel had stopped offering red panda-themed rooms, and the four bears found on the premises had been transferred to a centralized breeding area.
As of Thursday, there was no listing for the rooms on the hotel's website although it appeared most were nonetheless animal-themed.
Dental kits, toiletries, coffee mugs and linen appeared to have cartoonish animals printed on them, pictures posted by previous guests on the booking platform Trip.com showed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC News
4 hours ago
- NBC News
Millions of years of evolution could be wiped out on 'Galapagos of the Indian Ocean,' conservationists warn
Sitting off the Horn of Africa, the Yemeni island of Socotra was largely left to its own devices for centuries, its few guests arriving to trade for aromatic frankincense, the healing plant aloe and the crimson sap of the dragon's blood tree, used for dyes. Roughly the size of New York's Long Island, Socotra is about 140 miles off the coast of Somalia, a remote location that has allowed a unique ecosystem to flourish. It has a rich array of bird and animal life, and the coral reefs off its shores teem with colorful marine of its 825 plant species cannot be found anywhere else on Earth, according to UNESCO. Some, including conservationist Kay Van Damme, have called it the Galápagos of the Indian Ocean and along with other experts, he is warning that millions of years of evolution on Socotra could be under 'serious threat.' 'Climate change is by far the biggest threat to the island's biodiversity,' Van Damme, who has worked on Socotra for more than two decades, told NBC News in a call last month. 'It is a relatively small island with a predominantly arid climate. Even small additional impacts from climate change can have an outsized effect, putting further pressure on fragile ecosystems.' Prolonged droughts brought on by climate change are compounding damage from devastating cyclones in 2015 and 2018 that destroyed reefs, eroded soil and uprooted rare plants. The island's lifeblood, endemic species of frankincense trees, are also under threat. Four of the 11 recognized species on the island were classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in March. Five were recognized as endangered.'Their decline reflects the wider degradation of terrestrial habitats across the island and the ecosystems they support,' said Van Damme, adding that overgrazing — predominantly from goats — is another significant challenge, leading to habitat degradation and 'leaving behind overmature trees with fewer younger trees to replace them.' Tourism's growing footprint Attracted by Socotra's pristine beaches, turquoise waters and surreal flora, tourists are also placing mounting pressure on the island's fragile ecosystem. While there is only a handful of hotels, mostly in the capital Hadibo, a growing number of tour operators offer luxury camping and 4x4 tours around the island, some of which are packaged as ecotourism. Authorities have agreed to limit the number of tourists to around 4,500 per year, Ali Yahya, a local conservationist and tour operator, said in an interview last month, adding that when it came to 'very sensitive areas in terms of ecosystems, biodiversity and cultural heritage, it's strictly not allowed to build any big buildings or large-scale hotels.' But despite Socotra's UNESCO World Heritage designation — requiring preservation under international agreements — violations occur frequently, another local guide, Abdulraoof al-Gamhi, said in a series of voice and written messages last month. 'Some tourists build fires under dragon blood trees, carve inscriptions into rare trees, leave trash behind them and scare birds with their drones,' he said. But he added that many of the island's residents benefit from tourism and that it is 'very important' for 'tour companies, car owners, drivers, restaurants, hotels and sellers of handcrafts.' Echoing his concerns, Van Damme also said endangered species were 'being killed just for a selfie,' with rare species like chameleons being captured so tourists can take pictures with them. Al-Gamhi also said he expected the number of tourists to rise as more people discover the unique locale, and 'that will put a lot of pressure on our environment.' 'It will be a big challenge,' he added. A cautionary tale Although the Galápagos comparison is often used to celebrate Socotra's biodiversity, it can also serve as a warning, according to Van Damme, who co-authored a 2011 study on human impacts on the island. Since the 19th century, the Galápagos, remote islands some 600 miles off the coast of mainland Ecuador known for their unique flora and fauna, have lost numerous endemic species to habitat disruption, overtourism and invasive species. 'Perhaps Socotran ecosystems,' Van Damme wrote at the time, 'could now be considered as having at least, a similar state of health of those in the Galápagos at the time of [the Ecuadorian islands'] nomination as world heritage site 30 years ago.' He added that Socotra risked a similar fate without 'timely conservation efforts.' 'If we consider the present-day condition in the Galápagos, we might catch a glimpse of Socotra's future, or better, what could happen if trends and threats continue in parallel,' the paper added. That assessment 'turned out to be very predictive,' particularly in terms of climate change, he told NBC News. The Galápagos Islands now host over 250,000 annual visitors, under strict controls including visitor caps, mandatory guides, designated trails and substantial tourism fees, which fund conservation. Socotra needs to implement similar protections before damage becomes irreversible, Van Damme said. Culture and tradition Beyond the environment, there are signs that tourism is also eroding the island's social fabric, according to Yahya, who said there was already a 'cultural shift' among its 60,000 residents, many of whom remain deeply traditional and speak Soqotri, an ancient, unwritten language with pre-Islamic roots. 'International behaviors are influencing locals, and we worry about the erosion of our traditions,' he said, adding that while tourists were welcome, some of them needed to be more respectful. An Instagram picture of a woman posing in a bikini beneath a dragon's blood tree had upset residents of one mountain village, he said, adding that it was seen as highly disrespectful by the conservative residents. Despite the pressures, there are reasons to be positive, Van Damme said, noting that authorities on the island are open to collaboration and local conservation projects are gaining traction. 'Community-led and other ongoing initiatives are vital,' he said. 'As long as they continue, there's genuine hope for the island's future.'
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Inside North Korea's huge new coastal resort that rest of world is banned from
North Korea has completed the construction of a major new coastal resort, the Wonsan Kalma tourist area, but it is not currently open to international visitors North Korea has completed the construction of a sprawling new coastal resort, which may eventually be opened to foreign visitors. The Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area, located on the country's east coast along the Sea of Japan, was officially unveiled by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who praised the project as a major milestone in the government's efforts to expand the tourism sector. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim toured the newly built resort and expressed "great satisfaction" with its completion. He declared the development "one of the greatest successes of the year" and described it as 'the proud first step' toward implementing North Korea's broader policy of economic development through tourism. The government views tourism as a potential source of much-needed foreign currency and employment opportunities, especially as international sanctions and economic isolation continue to weigh heavily on the country's economy. The resort, which includes hotels, leisure facilities and beachfront areas, is designed to accommodate approximately 20,000 visitors. It is scheduled to open to domestic tourists next Tuesday, though no specific date has been announced for when it will open to international guests. The opening ceremony was attended by Kim's wife Ri Sol Ju and his daughter Kim Ju Ae, who has made more frequent public appearances in recent months and is widely believed to be his likely successor. The North Korean government has been actively working to present the country as a desirable destination for international travellers, despite its longstanding reputation as one of the world's most closed and secretive states. Kim Jong Un has promoted tourism as a key pillar in his strategy to revitalise the nation's struggling economy. In line with this goal, state media reported that similar large-scale tourist developments are being planned in other regions of the country. However, the prospect of welcoming large numbers of foreign tourists remains uncertain. North Korea closed its borders to international visitors in early 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has yet to fully lift those restrictions. Limited international access has resumed in recent months: since February 2024, North Korea has been accepting tourists from Russia, a move that reflects the growing political and economic ties between Pyongyang and Moscow. Despite this development, Chinese group tours - which historically made up over 90% of foreign tourist arrivals before the pandemic - have not yet resumed. KCNA reported that Russia's ambassador to North Korea and embassy staff attended the opening ceremony of the Wonsan Kalma resort, signalling continued cooperation between the two nations. The report did not mention whether any Chinese diplomats were present at the event. In February 2025, a small group of international tourists visited North Korea for the first time since the pandemic began, marking a tentative step toward reopening the country to the outside world. However, travel agencies reported in March that further tours had been paused for unspecified reasons. In April, North Korea hosted an international marathon in Pyongyang, which featured participation from a limited number of foreign athletes.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Inside North Korea's vast new beach resort as Kim Jong Un bets on tourism
The Wonsan-Kalma beach resort is North Korea's biggest tourist site. Russia said Thursday it will send its first group of tourists to the site in July North Korea has unveiled a major coastal tourist attraction which it hopes will be a game-changer for its tourism industry. The Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist zone boasts an array of hotels and accommodations for nearly 20,000 guests, offering a range of activities including swimming, sports, and dining at on-site restaurants and cafeterias, according to state media reports. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a grand opening ceremony on Tuesday, cutting the inaugural ribbon, as reported by the official Korean Central News Agency on Thursday. Kim hailed the project as "one of the greatest successes this year" and described the site as "the proud first step" in implementing the government's tourism development policy, according to KCNA. The Wonsan-Kalma beach resort is North Korea's largest tourist destination, with KCNA announcing that it will begin operations for domestic tourists next Tuesday. However, no timeline has been provided for welcoming foreign tourists, although Russian officials revealed on Thursday that the first Russian tour to the site is slated for July. Experts suggest that the resort likely required a substantial investment from North Korea's limited budget, implying that it will eventually need to cater to Chinese and other foreign tourists to break even. Kim has been striving to transform the nation into a tourist hotspot in a bid to rejuvenate the struggling economy, with the Wonsan-Kalma zone being one of his most frequently mentioned tourism initiatives. KCNA reported that North Korea will announce plans to construct large tourist sites in other regions of the country as well. However, North Korea hasn't completely lifted a ban on foreign tourists implemented in early 2020 to protect against the COVID pandemic. Experts suggest that North Korea's slow return to international tourism is due to ongoing pandemic restrictions, heightened tensions with the U.S. and South Korea in recent years, and concerns about Western tourists disseminating a negative portrayal of its regime. Russia's Primorsky region, which shares a border with North Korea, announced that the first group of Russian tourists to the resort will set off on July 7. The region's press service stated that during their eight-day journey, Russian tourists will also have the chance to visit key attractions in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, according to Russian state news agency Tass. From February 2024 onwards, North Korea has already started welcoming Russian tourists to other areas amidst flourishing military and other collaborations between the two nations. However, Chinese group tours, which accounted for over 90% of visitors prior to the pandemic, remain on hold. In February this year, a small contingent of international travellers ventured into North Korea, marking their first visit in five years. However, tour operators announced a pause on trips to the hermit kingdom as early as March. Amidst global tensions, Kim Jong-un's regime has been bolstering ties with Russia by sending troops and arms to back its conflict with Ukraine, in exchange for economic and military support. Yet, despite longstanding bonds with China—North Korea's chief trade ally and aid donor—a cooling period is evident as China shows hesitance to form an anti-Western bloc with North Korea and Russia, according to experts. During Tuesday's event, celebrating the completion of a new resort, the Russian ambassador to North Korea attended alongside embassy personnel, as reported by KCNA. The dispatch, however, left out whether any Chinese officials were included on the guest list. "There seems to be issues that North Korea hasn't yet resolved in its relations with China. But North Korea has put in too much money on tourism and plans to spend more. Subsequently, to get its money's worth, North Korea can't help receiving Chinese tourists," noted Lee Sangkeun, a specialist at South Korea's Institute for National Security Strategy, a think tank operated by the country's intelligence service. Kyungnam University's Far Eastern Studies savant, Lim Eul-chul, has revealed that Russians will kick off foreign tourist footfall at Wonsan-Kalma. Moreover, he predicts that Sino-North Korean exchanges through Chinese tours to the leisure zone are set to commence soon, underpinning the reviving trade relations between Beijing and Pyongyang.
