A specialist pig farm in China has become a popular – and bizarre – wedding venue, especially for couples born under the animal’s zodiac sign.
The Panda Pig Farm in Jinhua, Zhejiang province in southeastern China, has diversified into a holiday resort and a destination at which to tie the knot.
Last year, it hosted more than 200 weddings, according to Shen Jianjun, the farm’s owner.
“People born in the Year of the Pig are especially drawn to this place. Some even include the animals in their wedding photos, finding it more meaningful,” said Shen.
The farm is home to about 3,000 officially named Two-End Black Pigs and has installed technology to ensure it does not have the usual farm smells.
The pigs, which are compared to pandas because of their distinctive black and white markings, add extra charm to the celebrations and photo shoots.
“As someone born in the Year of the Pig, and having studied animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, I have a deep affection for the animals.
“The Two-End Black is one of China’s four most famous pigs, and is also renowned worldwide” Shen told Tide News.
He said that due to their slower growth rate, longer breeding time, and higher costs, along with competition from foreign breeds, the pretty porkers were once almost extinct.
One bride who held her wedding at the venue wrote on Douyin.
“My nickname is Panda, his surname is Xiong, which means ‘bear’ in Chinese, and we were both born in the Year of the Pig. Getting married at the Panda Pig farm felt like destiny.”
The farm is also a theme park, with attractions such as a cultural expo, as well as interactive and educational experiences which include a pig village, where visitors can get up close to the animals and learn about their habits and habitat.
Shen said the Panda Pig Farm has attracted about two million visitors over the past three years, with daily traffic peaking at 12,000.
Online observers have been captivated by the story.
“Getting married here sounds awesome. You can enjoy the wedding banquet while also having fun at a theme park,” one person said.
“They’ve really elevated the status of pigs,” said another.
