"Panda fever" photos in the Universiade Village | Athletes | Universiade Village

"I still can't believe I'm going to represent Poland in the Chengdu Universiade! I've been working hard for it for the past five years!" 24-year-old Kamila Naplosek excitedly posted a photo of herself in the Chengdu Universiade village on her personal page. This time, she was also the only athlete from Warsaw Medical University to come to Chengdu. Behind her, the sculpture of the Chengdu Universiade mascot "Rongbao" is particularly eye-catching.

Camilla Naplosek takes a photo in front of the "Rongbao" sculpture in Chengdu Universiade Village. The image is from the contestant's personal social media page

This well behaved round panda is gaining more and more popularity as the opening of the Universiade approaches. With the increase in the number of delegations staying in the Dayun Village, this sculpture located across the street from the athletes' restaurant has become the first check-in choice for many athletes, to the point where it is considered the best random interview point in the village for media communication. Of course, sometimes it is necessary to help interviewees leave some photos in front of "Rongbao" as a reward.

Even before arriving in China and Chengdu, many people were already full of longing for pandas. In the Chengdu Universiade Village, the ubiquitous panda elements also added many happy memories to people's trip to Chengdu.

Panda shaped bean buns served at the window of the athlete restaurant in Chengdu Universiade Village. Photo by Zheng Zhi, journalist from Xinhua News Agency

The athletes' restaurant in the Universiade Village across the street from the "Rongbao" sculpture has many categories of Chinese food, European flavor, Asian flavor and so on. In the main food area of Chinese food, the daily supply of panda shaped bean bags and black sesame rice dumpling often become the first step for visitors from afar to explore Chinese food.

A few days before the opening, in addition to outdoor sculptures and cafeterias, many delegation members will choose to visit the village's authorized stores. There are various categories and styles of "Rongbao" to choose from, whether it is the peach version keychain that can be held in hand to relieve stress or the "face changing" version of ornaments that can change shape, it is difficult to leave empty handed from here.

The mascot of the Universiade, Rongbao, dressed in Sichuan opera face changing costumes, was filmed on July 20th. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie Jiao

Lucinda Susan and her teammates from the Australian water polo team spent nearly 20 minutes strolling around before finally choosing the Rabbit Year version of "Rongbao" wearing a rabbit ear hat because they "thought this design was the cutest." When everyone explained the origin of this design to her, she suddenly realized, "So this year is the Year of the Rabbit in China? Then I know why this design is!"

Franchise stores and other areas are also ideal locations for the exchange of badges, which is a reserved program for every major event. Panda shaped badges are also a "hard currency" in the exchange process. However, since most of the "Rongbao" badges currently available in the village were bought out 24 hours after they were put on the shelves in the store, there were also many "Bing Dwen Dwen" badges "re employment" on the scene, and the charm of "the last top class" was not diminished at all.

Susan and her teammates showcased the newly purchased version of "Rongbao" for the Year of the Rabbit. Photo by Zheng Zhi, journalist from Xinhua News Agency

Susan said that although she has brought back the Year of the Rabbit version of "Rongbao", she and her teammates will definitely have to go and see the real giant panda again. She said, "Although it's not yet certain which day it will be, we will definitely sign up!"

Susan said that there are 11 sightseeing routes for urban cultural experience of the Universiade. Under the theme of "playing in Chengdu at ease", these routes provided by the Universiade include a half day tour of Chengdu Museum Kuanzhai Alley, a one-day tour of Dujiangyan Irrigation Project Qingcheng Mountain, etc., and of course, a half day tour of Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a visit for national treasure fans. Chengdu Universiade delegation members can make reservations for registration through the "Dayun Tong" app and other means.

Members of the foreign university student delegation are consulting about urban cultural experiences and sightseeing routes in Chengdu Dayun Village. Respondents provide pictures

The urban cultural experience sightseeing route activity has a consultation office located in Dayun Village. The staff of the consultation office stated that although the event will officially start on the 29th after the opening, many members of the delegation have come to book the route, and more than 50% of them have chosen the half day tour of the giant panda breeding research base. Coming from afar to China, many people are eager to see their loved ones and better understand their places during this Universiade journey. As Chidibere Ezeni, Secretary General of the Nigerian University Sports Association, said, "This will be a grand event, and we hope to win medals, embrace pandas, and have a wonderful time. Chengdu, we are here!"