Beautiful Sichuan #1
 | A321-213 | Air China |
This A321 was the first of two painted in a special Panda scheme to promote tourism to Sichuan as the carrier's Southwest (Sichuan) branch was launching Chengdu-Taipei flights (which explains the absence of the usual PRC flag next to the Air China titles). This first design features a giant cartoon-style panda. The Sichuan province is known for its Panda bears. Note the English titles on the starboard side.
The red, orange and yellow patterns at the front of the plane refer to another Sichuan attraction, the Golden Sun Bird artifact, an ancient ring-shaped piece of foil made of nearly pure gold that was unearthed in 2001 from the Jinsha Ruins in Chengdu City. The artifact is now visible at the Chengdu Jinsha Ruins Museum. On a sidenote it is also the logo of competitor Chengdu Airlines.
Tags Panda, Tourism, Wildlife