On March 3, in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, crowds of visitors gather outside Everland, eagerly awaiting entry on the final day that Fu Bao is open to the public.
YONGIN, Mar. 3 (Korea Bizwire) – In an unprecedented surge of visitors, Everland, a popular theme park in Yongin, South Korea, is witnessing massive crowds this weekend, all eager for a final glimpse of Fu Bao, the beloved giant panda, before its scheduled return to China in early April.
Starting from the March 1 holiday’s eve, numerous visitors have shared their struggles online to gain entry into Everland’s Panda World. The influx is due to the limited time—until March 3 only—to see Fu Bao, drawing fans from all corners.
One visitor highlighted the early morning rush on an online community, sharing details of the packed buses heading to Everland from Seoul’s Gangnam Station as early as 5:30 a.m. “Every bus is full right from the first service.
It’s a mad dash from Gangnam,” the visitor noted, adding that despite the park opening at 10 a.m., the crowd was already in a frenzy by around 6 or 7 a.m.
Zookeeper Kang Chul-won gives a gift of Yuchae or Rapeseed flowers to Fu Bao (also known as “Forever Baby Panda”) on March 3, the last day Fu Bao will be available for public viewing.
Photos posted online show long queues snaking outside Everland’s entrance by 7 a.m., hours before opening. Social media videos captured the moment the gates opened, showing visitors sprinting inside—a literal ‘open run.’ Inside, announcements pleaded with visitors not to run.
However, reaching Panda World to see Fu Bao meant enduring even longer waits, with signs indicating a staggering 400-minute wait time.
One visitor shared a photo on X (formerly Twitter), showing the queue not only around Panda World but also extending to nearby attractions, with visitors braving the early spring chill with blankets and portable chairs.
Everland, initially scheduling Fu Bao’s appearances for the afternoon to facilitate interactions with its panda siblings, has now opened Panda World throughout the day from March 1 to 3. On the final day, the park is considering a live broadcast on YouTube to allow fans a last look at Fu Bao.
Fu Bao, known for his love of people, will not be allowed to meet the public after March 3. Unaware of this, Fu Bao eats bamboo in the indoor enclosure at Everland’s Panda World on Sunday.
Fu Bao will spend a month from April 4 preparing for the move to China, adhering to international wildlife transfer regulations, including health checks and quarantine. This will be conducted behind closed doors, along with training to acclimate to the transport crate.
Diplomatic sources from China indicated that Fu Bao is expected to board a flight to Chengdu, Sichuan Province, in early April, after undergoing epidemiological and clinical examinations.
On March 3, in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, crowds of visitors gather outside Everland, eagerly awaiting entry on the final day that Fu Bao is open to the public. 12
The popular panda’s final destination is expected to be the Wolong Giant Panda Conservation Center in Sichuan.
Image credit: Samsung C&T/Everland, Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
