Hotel Faces Backlash for Using Endangered Red Pandas to Wake Up Guests
The hotel in Chongqing, China, is a popular destination for influencers and people looking for unique tourist experiences
Local authorities have since forbade the hotel from allowing guests to have 'close contact' with the endangered speciesA hotel in China is facing backlash after using endangered red pandas to wake up guests in the morning.
The Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Holiday Hotel, located in the countryside near the southwestern city of Chongqing, is known for its 'red panda-themed holidays,' per The London Times.
The hotel boasts close contact with one of its four red pandas — bringing them to guests' rooms in the morning for 'wake-up calls.' The amount of time that the animals stay with guests depends on 'the red panda's mood that day,' according to China Newsweek, per The Times.
The hotel has become popular on social media, with travel influencers posting videos and photos of their visits.
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However, the hotel recently sparked backlash and online public debate among people who questioned whether the hotel's practices were ethical, especially given that red pandas are considered an endangered species.
The local forest bureau became involved, and the bureau has since ordered an immediate pause on any activities involving 'close contact' with the creatures at the hotel. They also stated that disobeying the order could potentially result in prosecution or fines, per The Times.
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) there are fewer than 10,000 red pandas in the world. The WWF noted that many red pandas reside in the Eastern Himalayas, but are losing their natural habitat due to deforestation. Additionally, they are killed when caught in traps meant for other animals, and they are sometimes poached for their fur.
Despite their name, red pandas are not technically pandas — or bears at all. They are slightly larger than domestic house cats, and are known for their red fur and raccoon-like markings.
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From falcons to fast cars, dhow boats to futuristic skylines, tradition and innovation race side by side. 35. South Africa Total Wealth (USD Billion): 1,027 Cape Town, South Africa. getty South Africa is a land of rhythm and resilience—where Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain towers over Bo-Kaap's candy-colored houses, and murals splashed across breezy streets. Johannesburg pulses with gold-rush grit, jazz clubs, and buzzing markets—while the Garden Route winds past ancient yellowwood forests, misty cliffs, and elephant crossings near Knysna. Kruger National Park, however, awakens with untamed life at dawn—think lion roars echoing across the golden savanna and hyenas cackling in the distance. Meanwhile, in Stellenbosch, oak-lined avenues lead to centuries-old vineyards—where heritage is poured into every glass of Chenin Blanc or Pinotage. Read More: Forbes The Ultimate Guide To MSC 'Virtuosa' By Lewis Nunn 36. Ireland Total Wealth (USD Billion): 1,014 County Donegal, Republic of Ireland getty Ireland sings with story and spellbinding scenery. Dublin blends literary lore with lively pubs, Georgian townhouses, and cobbled streets echoing with Yeats and Wilde. Meanwhile, Galway dances to the beat of fiddles, painted shopfronts, and salty Atlantic winds swirling through Eyre Square. The wild west of Ireland reveals sea cliffs like Slieve League, hushed peat bogs, and winding roads threading through Connemara's granite hills and glassy lakes. Meanwhile, ancient castles rise from misty riverbanks—like Trim and Kilkenny—as woolly sheep graze across emerald pastures. Visit its world-famous Giant's Causeway—where hexagonal basalt columns stride into crashing surf, steeped in myth and legend. 37. Greece Total Wealth (USD Billion): 938 Acropolis of Athens, Greece getty Greece glows with myth and golden light. Athens crowns its skyline with the Acropolis—its marble columns gazing over lively squares with clinking glasses of ouzo and the smell of grilled souvlaki. Meanwhile, the Cyclades sparkle with whitewashed houses, bougainvillea-lined alleys, and sapphire waters lapping at hidden coves. Crete offers rugged gorges, sun-dappled olive groves, and Minoan palaces echoing ancient grandeur. Thessaloniki, however, pulses with spice-laden markets, waterfront cafés, and Byzantine mosaics tucked into quiet chapels. Gawp at Meteora's monasteries—perched atop towering stone pillars—while across the Aegean, ferries weave between island gems where laughter spills from seaside tavernas and sunsets linger over glorious harbors. Read More: Forbes 3 Epic Hotels In The Netherlands For 2025 By Lewis Nunn 38. Chile Total Wealth (USD Billion): 842 Snowy Licancabur volcano in Chile. getty Chile stretches across extremes—scorching desert heat in the north vs glacial silence in the south. Santiago nestles between snow-dusted Andes—alive with Neruda's poetry, leafy plazas, and bustling cafés. Meanwhile, Valparaíso tumbles in technicolor down steep coastal hills—its graffiti-covered walls, creaky funiculars, and bohemian spirit telling stories of art and rebellion. The Atacama glows with flamingo-dotted salt flats, geysers at dawn, and stargazing under skies so clear they feel infinite. The Lake District, however, mirrors snow-capped volcanoes in glassy waters—while Patagonia howls with wind, jagged peaks, and untamed wilderness. Don't miss world-famous Easter Island—where ancient moai statues stand solemn—guardians of mystery. 39. Finland Total Wealth (USD Billion): 821 Finland, Lapland, Salla. February 2020. It is a day with good weather. The Siberian Huskies pull the dog sled through the snow in the beautiful snow landscape on the Arctic Circle. getty Finland is a land of enchanting wonder. Helsinki blends sleek Nordic design with coastal calm—where Alvar Aalto buildings rise near harbors dotted with ice, and saunas steam beside the sea. Meanwhile, in Lapland, reindeer wander through snowy forests beneath the dancing green ribbons of the aurora borealis. Ancient pine woods brim with wild blueberries and lingonberries—while glassy lakes invite brisk summer swims, and smoke-scented wooden cabins glow with candlelight in the hush of falling snow. Read More: Forbes An Insider's Guide To Carden Park Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa By Lewis Nunn 40. Czechia Total Wealth (USD Billion): 799 Czechia enchants with layers of whimsy—Prague's skyline pierces the sky with gilded spires, as the Vltava glides beneath Charles Bridge and lantern-lit embankments. Český Krumlov curls around its river like a fairytale—its turreted castle, frescoed walls, and cobbled lanes steeped in medieval charm. Meanwhile, Olomouc surprises with baroque fountains, buzzing student cafés, and lively squares framed by pastel facades. Deep forests hide moss-covered chapels and rustic breweries with smoky lagers—while across the rolling countryside, Gothic cathedrals, Renaissance chateaux, and Art Nouveau villas stitch together a living mosaic of folklore. 41. Romania Total Wealth (USD Billion): 720 Transylvania, Romania getty Romania breathes haunting mystery into every landscape. Its capital, Bucharest, tells tales through grand boulevards, Belle Époque mansions, and the imposing Palace of the Parliament. Meanwhile, Transylvania unfolds with misty medieval towns like Sibiu and Brașov, vampire lore, and fortress-like castles such as Bran and Corvin perched on forested cliffs. The wild Carpathians cradle shepherds, brown bears, and winding trails through pine-covered peaks—while Bucovina's painted monasteries glow with sacred frescoes in vivid golds. In the Danube Delta, silence reigns—broken only by pelican wings, rustling reeds, and drifting river mist that veils the labyrinth of wetlands. Read More: Forbes An Insider's Guide To Calcot & Spa: The Cotswolds By Lewis Nunn 42. Colombia Total Wealth (USD Billion): 688 Colombia bursts with color and unshakable spirit. Bogotá climbs with colonial plazas, Andean views, and street art splashed across La Candelaria's walls. Meanwhile, Medellín blooms with eternal spring—its hillsides alive with orchids and sky-sailing cable cars. Cartagena glows with coral-stone ramparts, bougainvillea-draped balconies, and Caribbean heat pulsing through its plazas. Cali, however, dances to its own rhythm—full of salsa soul echoing from open-air clubs—while coffee country is dotted with fincas, wax palms, and the scent of fresh harvest. Head deep in the Amazon—and you'll discover ancient life whispering through tangled canopy, drifting river mist, and the haunting calls of capuchinbirds. 43. Kazakhstan Total Wealth (USD Billion): 579 Big Almaty Lake, Kazakhstan getty Unfolding in epic scale, Kazakhstan is where wild horses gallop across boundless steppes, and salt lakes shimmer in hues of pink and silver. Almaty blends leafy boulevards, snow-capped peaks, and lingering Silk Road echoes in bustling bazaars and steaming teahouses. Meanwhile, Nur-Sultan rises with bold ambition—its skyline sculpted in steel, glass, and futuristic spires like Bayterek Tower. The Caspian Sea laps at desert shores—where oil rigs meet wind-swept dunes—while ancient nomadic traditions live on in felted yurts, golden eagle hunts, and stories passed by firelight beneath star-strewn skies. Read More: Forbes An Insider's Guide To Another Place: The Lake District By Lewis Nunn 44. Hungary Total Wealth (USD Billion): 465 Hungary flows with quiet grandeur—where Budapest straddles the shimmering Danube, its twilight-lit bridges linking Buda's castle hills to Pest's domed Parliament and ruin bars tucked in crumbling mansions. The cities of Debrecen and Szeged hum with academic life, paprika-scented markets, and glowing Art Nouveau facades. Meanwhile, Lake Balaton sparkles with sailboats drifting across turquoise waters, children splashing near pebbled shores, and vineyards climbing gentle hills. The Great Plain stretches beneath poetic skies where herds graze and mirages dance—while thermal springs bubble in ornate bathhouses like Széchenyi—their steam rising through vaulted ceilings. 45. Qatar Total Wealth (USD Billion): 450 Pearl-Qatar island in Doha getty Qatar balances deep-rooted tradition with transformation—as its capital, Doha curves along the Persian Gulf with high-tech museums like the National Museum of Qatar, shimmering skyscrapers in West Bay, and souks perfumed with spice, oud, and rosewater. Katara and Msheireb pulse with creativity—think art galleries, film screenings, and restored wind towers celebrating the nation's soul—while the Pearl gleams with waterfront cafés, luxury boutiques, and yacht-filled marinas. Inland, dunes ripple beneath vast desert skies, ancient forts like Al Zubarah stand watch, and camel tracks trace timeworn paths. Falconry displays, dhow boat races, and majlis gatherings with cardamom coffee keep Qatar's cultural roots alive. Read More: Forbes An Insider's Guide To Homewood Hotel And Spa By Lewis Nunn 46. Luxembourg Total Wealth (USD Billion): 301 Where contrasts coexist with quiet elegance? Luxembourg . Its capital clings to dramatic cliffs, where medieval ramparts overlook glass-boxed financial towers and cobbled lanes wind past Gothic spires. Wander through The Grund, where the Alzette River hugs stone bridges and ivy-draped facades—while Kirchberg pulses with contemporary art, bold architecture, and the hum of EU institutions. Beyond the city, morning mist drapes over castle turrets like Vianden's, and vineyards ripple in tidy rows along the Moselle. The Mullerthal region, however, invites hikers into a fairytale realm of mossy ravines, sculpted sandstone trails like the Schiessentümpel waterfall, and whispering forest paths. 47. Bulgaria Total Wealth (USD Billion): 281 Bulgaria is a land of living tradition. Sofia rests on ancient Roman ruins—its skyline pierced by golden Orthodox domes, leafy parks, and boulevards humming with espresso cafés and bookstalls. Meanwhile, Plovdiv's cobbled streets wind past colorful art galleries, Ottoman houses, and Roman amphitheaters that echo with centuries of creativity. The Balkan Mountains rise with stoic grace—sheltering cliffside monasteries like Rila, winding shepherd trails, and forests steeped in Slavic myth. Along the Black Sea coast, however, golden resorts shimmer beside sleepy fishing villages, sunken shipwrecks, and hidden coves. Come June, the Rose Valley bursts into fragrant bloom, and folklore dances through fire-lit festivals, embroidered costumes, and tales passed from generation to generation. Read More: Forbes An Insider's Guide To The Ned, London By Lewis Nunn 48. Slovakia Total Wealth (USD Billion): 276 Mlynky village, Slovakia getty Slovakia unfolds like a storybook—Bratislava's old town leaning into the Danube—its pastel façades, winding alleys, and medieval towers alive with café chatter and riverside strolls. The High Tatras pierce the sky with dramatic grandeur—offering glacial lakes like Štrbské Pleso, rugged hiking trails, and snow-dusted peaks that shimmer in alpine light. Meanwhile, Banská Štiavnica whispers mining glory through baroque façades, hillside chapels, and hidden courtyards. Košice, with its soaring St. Elisabeth Cathedral and art-filled lanes, bridges centuries of heritage with modern flair—while across the countryside—wooden churches, embroidered folk costumes, and village festivals preserve Slovak soul. 49. Croatia Total Wealth (USD Billion): 259 Split bay aerial view through stone window, Dalmatia, Croatia getty Croatia is a mosaic of sea, stone, and enduring spirit. Dubrovnik's ancient ramparts guard marble lanes that shimmer under Adriatic light—echoing with church bells and café laughter. Meanwhile, Split breathes through Diocletian's Palace—its Roman columns framing lively piazzas shaded by palms and centuries-old walls. Zagreb invites strolls past bookshops, markets, and Austro-Hungarian façades. Inland, however, Istria tempts with truffle-scented taverns, rolling vineyards, and hilltop towns like Motovun. Sailing along the Dalmatian coast, you'll spot crystalline waters lapping against sun-bleached beaches, olive groves, and island gems like Hvar and Korčula—scattered like pearls across the deep blue. 50. Uruguay Total Wealth (USD Billion): 226 Uruguay flows with understated charm. Montevideo's sweeping Rambla hugs the coast—where locals sip mate in ritual and tango melodies drift from shaded plazas—while Colonia del Sacramento preserves its colonial soul in cobbled streets, lantern-lit alleys, and vine-covered adobe walls. Punta del Este buzzes with beachside glamour—its sleek high-rises, art installations, and golden sands drawing sunseekers and surfers alike. Meanwhile, inland, the pampas stretch wide and golden—dotted with rustic estancias, grazing cattle, and gauchos on horseback beneath story-filled skies. From coastal calm to countryside tradition, Uruguay moves to a quiet rhythm—warm, grounded, and timeless. More From Forbes Forbes The World's Best Countries To Visit In 2025, According To Travel Experts By Lewis Nunn Forbes The World's Most Beautiful Beaches 2025, According To Travel Experts By Lewis Nunn Forbes The World's Most Visited Countries, According To Research By Lewis Nunn Forbes The World's Best River Cruises 2025, According To Experts By Lewis Nunn Forbes How To Spend A Weekend At Burghley House By Lewis Nunn Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Plymouth By Lewis Nunn Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Cirencester By Lewis Nunn
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Associated Press
Mountaineers set off on foot to retrieve the body of a Chinese climber who died on K2
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — A team of mountaineers set off on foot Thursday to recover the body of a Chinese climber from the world's second-highest peak after bad weather grounded helicopter flights, a Pakistani official said. Guan Jing was struck by falling rocks on Tuesday while descending K2, a day after reaching its summit with a group in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region. She died on the mountain, known for its treacherous slopes, frequent rockfalls, and extreme weather conditions, according to Faizullah Faraq, a local government spokesperson. He said her body lies between 100 and 150 meters (328 to 492 feet) above the advanced base camp at about 5,400 meters (17,716 feet) and has not yet been retrieved. K2 rises 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) above sea level and is widely regarded as one of the most difficult and dangerous peaks to climb, with a far higher fatality rate than Mount Everest. 'The weather is currently not suitable for a helicopter flight, which is why the body has not yet been brought down' from the mountain, he said. Faraq said Jing was part of an expedition organized by a Nepali company. He said a Nepali Sherpa, Jangbu, was sent on Wednesday to recover her body but was injured on the way and stranded. The Nepali was later rescued by helicopter and transferred to Skardu Hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment. Deadly incidents are common on K2, where steep gradients, thin air and sudden storms can turn even routine descents into life-threatening ordeals. The latest death comes two weeks after German mountaineer and Olympic gold medalist, Laura Dahlmeier, died while attempting another peak in the region. Efforts to retrieve her body were abandoned when Dahlmeier's family informed authorities that she had stated that no one should risk their life to recover her body if she dies in any accident.
