The Adventures of the Panda, a six-episode documentary series co-produced by Beijing TV and Sichuan TV, airs this month.

The six-episode documentary program The Adventures of the Panda, co-produced by Beijing TV and Sichuan TV, is now airing.

The series follows the journey of giant pandas from their birth, growth and return to the wild to social networks and their unique role in international diplomacy. It also delves into their "retirement" life, offering an in-depth look at panda biology, breeding and conservation efforts.

At a preview screening in Beijing on Friday, general director and producer Lai Yirui highlighted exclusive content, including the excavation of the 47th panda remains in the Shuanghe cave in Southwest China's Guizhou province, the birth of twin panda cubs by Cancan, and new footage of wild pandas with cubs.

"We hope to use the panda's unique perspective to showcase China's remarkable efforts and success in ecological conservation," Lai said.

Mao Xue, director of the second episode The Road to Growth, noted that before filming, many crew members envied panda caretakers, imagining it to be a dream job. However, the reality proved to be much more demanding.

In one scene, panda keeper Xie Qingyang is shown gently feeding a panda cub, wiping its mouth and patting its back to help it burp — a moment that appears heartwarming. However, Mao explained that Xie works around the clock in the nursery.

Lai Yirui, general director and producer of  The Adventures of the Panda.

"Each day, his first task is to receive a health update from his colleagues on each panda cub. Then, he disinfects the nursery to maintain a clean, sterile environment before feeding the cubs and assisting with their bowel movements. He rarely has time to interact with us and all we see is a faint smile," she recalled.

The Adventures of the Panda features English voice-overs and is broadcast across multiple platforms, including Beijing TV, Sichuan TV, iQiyi, Youku, Tencent, and Douyin, with millions of views on international platforms. The series aims to serve as a cultural bridge to promote China's ecological achievements worldwide.

Professor Lu Shaoyang from Peking University's School of Journalism and Communication praised the documentary, calling it "a clear product of journalism, filled with newsworthy moments". He highlighted the transformation of giant pandas from "endangered" to "vulnerable", reflecting China's successful conservation efforts.

"Over time, these images will become increasingly precious, as there are few opportunities to capture such scenes. With the panda as a symbol, The Adventures of the Panda elevates nature documentaries to new heights, showcasing biodiversity conservation and ecological civilization," Lu said.

Source: China Daily