Cultural tips

The Official Mascots of Beijing 2008, the 29th Olympic Games are five playful dolls called Fuwa. People draw the color and inspiration of Fuwa from a vast Chinese territory and the adorable animal features. Fuwa carry a message of friendship, peace, the enterprising spirit, and the blessings of the harmony from China—to the children all over the world. Fuwa embody the natural characteristics of the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow and the Olympic Flame. Each of them has a rhyming two-syllable name—a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. They are beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying and Nini. When you put their names together—Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni—they say "Welcome to Beijing", offering a warm invitation to the world.