A Pig Romance: Chinese couples born in the Year of the Pig flock to a farm for a “meaningful” big day
A specialized pig farm in China has become a popular – and bizarre – wedding venue, especially for couples born under the animal’s zodiac sign.
The panda farm in Jinhua, in southeastern China’s Zhejiang province, has become a holiday resort and destination for wedding couples.
According to Shen Jianjun, the owner of the farm, over 200 weddings took place there last year.
“People born in the year of the pig are particularly attracted to this place. Some even include the animals in their wedding photos because they find it more meaningful,” Shen said.
The farm is home to around 3,000 pigs, officially known as Two-End Black Pigs, and has technology installed to avoid 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.
“Because I was born in the year of the pig and studied animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, I have a deep affection for animals.
“The Two-End Black is one of the four most famous pigs in China and also enjoys a good reputation worldwide,” Shen told Tide News.
He said the pretty pigs were once almost extinct due to their slower growth, longer breeding time and higher costs, as well as competition from foreign breeds.
A bride who held her wedding at this venue wrote on Douyin.
“My nickname is Panda, his last name is Xiong, which means ‘bear’ in Chinese, and we were both born in the year of the pig. Getting married on the panda pig farm felt like fate.”
The farm is also a theme park with attractions such as a cultural exhibition and interactive and educational experiences, including a pig village where visitors can get up close and personal with 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 were captivated by the story.
“Getting married here sounds amazing. You can enjoy the wedding banquet while having fun at an amusement park,” one person said.
“They have really elevated the status of pigs,” said another.
