South Korean tour bookings to China jumped more than seven-and-a-half times in May from a year ago, with many tourists opting to visit the new home of Fubao, a giant panda adored by the South Korean public who returned to China last month, according to the latest data.

South Korean group tour reservations to China soared 660 percent in May year on year and 25 percent from the month before, state broadcaster China Central Television reported yesterday, citing data from South Korean travel agency Hanatour.

Hanatour was the first South Korean travel agency to launch panda-themed tours after Fubao’s return to China. It offers three different tours that take tourists to two or three giant panda conservation bases and nearby cities such as Chengdu and Xi’an, depending on the package. Although prices are not low at between CNY4,000 (USD551) and CNY7,200, there has been an endless stream of inquiries.

Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Wenwen

Editor Ⅱ: Wu Dan

Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong