by Nurul Fitri Ramadhani

JAKARTA, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- At the Panda Palace in Taman Safari Indonesia, located in Bogor, West Java province, 30-year-old Nuraen Kartika was busy holding her lively daughter, who ran excitedly around the area after seeing pandas, the iconic animals native to China.

It was Kartika's first time seeing pandas up close, as she had only watched them in online videos before. Yet her visit turned out to be more than just an encounter with the adorable creatures; it was also a cultural experience.

Nestled on a lush hillside about 1,800 meters above sea level, the Panda Palace is one of the most popular attractions in Taman Safari Indonesia. Designed with a blend of natural landscape and Chinese architectural aesthetics, the complex features curved roofs, red pillars, and intricate decorations that echo classical Chinese style. Visitors can reach the Panda Palace by shuttle bus, which offers stunning views of the surrounding forest, adding to the sense of wonder before entering the panda habitat.

The Panda Palace itself is uniquely designed to showcase the beauty of traditional Chinese architecture. Lanterns, Mandarin couplets and bamboo ornaments, the panda's favorite food, decorate the premises. Informative boards about pandas and their habitat are displayed in both Indonesian and Chinese, alongside photos and drawings of famous Chinese landmarks such as the Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven, giving visitors the feeling of being transported to China.

"This building is very special. The dominant red color and the lanterns make it look just like in China. It's different from other animal enclosures; it has its own character," Kartika told Xinhua on Friday.

Another visitor, Peter Chen from Tangerang province, said the experience went beyond simply watching the pandas' charming behavior.

"Everything here, including the educational aspect, is fascinating. For those who have never been to China, it feels like we don't have to go there, because China is already here," Chen said.

Taman Safari Indonesia has been home to two giant pandas, Cai Tao and Hu Chun, since 2017. The pandas, brought from southwest China's Sichuan Province, have become stars of the zoo. In August this year, Cai Tao celebrated his 15th birthday.

With over 673 species and nearly 23,000 animals, the zoo attracts more than 5 million visitors annually.

For visitor Dian Puspita, who came with her children, the trip inspired a deeper curiosity about China.

"I just learned that bamboo has a long history and deep cultural significance in China. The food here, like steamed buns, is also very interesting. I've never been to China, but I'd love to go one day, not only because of the pandas, but also because of the culture," she said.