SAN DIEGO — The eyes of America will be on the San Diego Zoo on Thursday, August 8 as two giant pandas make their highly anticipated public debut.
As the city prepares to welcome pandas Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, officials are warning the public of the potential for increased traffic around Balboa Park.
If you want to join the welcome party, here's parking, shuttle and ticket information you need to know before you see the pandas in person.
How to see the pandas
Guests will have several options to see the animals.
- You can obtain a free giant panda timed ticket or join a standby line.
- Additionally, advanced reservations are available for an exclusive 60-minute Early Morning with Pandas Walking Tour before the zoo opens to guests for the day.
Traffic, parking, shuttles
The City of San Diego has provided parking, rideshare, bus stop and free shuttle information ahead of the panda's public debut.
- The city is encouraging visitors to take public transit. Bus lanes dedicated to San Diego Zoo visitors will provide a quick ride to the pandas.
- Free shuttles are available to visitors to and from the Inspiration Point parking lot to the San Diego Zoo entrance
- Fore more information, click here.
Panda Ridge
The San Diego Zoo's Panda Ridge exhibit is described as an "expansive and multidimensional experience... inspired by famous geological formations in China, emulating the mountainous forest ecosystems where giant pandas thrive while immersing you into their world," a statement from Erika Kohler, San Diego Zoo senior vice president and executive director read.
Yun Chuan and Xin Bao arrived in San Diego in late June and have spent the last several weeks acclimating to the zoo and their new habitat.
Yun Chuan and Xin Bao
Yun Chuan (pronounced yoon chu-an) and Xin Bao (pronounced sing bow), are the first pandas to enter the United States in 21 years.
According to a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance statement, Yun Chuan is nearly 5 years old and is described as mild-mannered, gentle and lovable. He is the son of Zhen Zhen (pronounced jen jen), who was born at the San Diego Zoo in 2007 to parents Bai Yun (pronounced bye yoon) and Gao Gao (pronounced gow gow). The first character of his name, "Yun," is a nod to his grandmother Bai Yun, who lived at the San Diego Zoo for 23 years.
Xin Bao is a nearly 4-year-old female and is described as a "gentle and witty introvert with a sweet round face and big ears," a zoo statement reads. Her name means a "new treasure of prosperity and abundance."
Meet the pandas
WATCH RELATED: Pandas settle in at San Diego Zoo after journey from China | See first photos
