Highway service areas across the country are quietly undergoing transformation, evolving beyond traditional refueling stations and basic rest stops into comprehensive service centers that integrate regional characteristics, cultural exhibitions, culinary experiences, and leisure tourism.
Zhejiang's "Panda Pig" themed service area, featuring Jinhua's distinctive two-headed black pigs, exemplifies this shift from simple "rest stops" to "regional economic landmarks." The facility has broken through traditional limitations to become a destination in its own right.
During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, the service area offered numerous interactive experiences for visitors. Guests could receive complimentary cookies and feed Jinhua's local specialty - the two-headed black pigs. These distinctive animals, also known as Chinese panda pigs, are characterized by their black heads and hindquarters, which gives them their name.
The food court features freshly made Jinhua crispy pastries with their aromatic appeal, while steamed buns filled with two-headed black pork are prepared fresh on-site. These enhanced service areas represent a significant evolution in highway infrastructure, transforming utilitarian stops into experiential retail and tourism destinations that showcase local culture and cuisine while serving travelers' needs.