A restaurant in Shanxi province, northern China, has sparked widespread online attention and concern over animal welfare by offering a four-course afternoon tea experience that includes cuddling lion cubs. Images and videos shared on China's WeChat and Weibo platforms show customers holding the lion cubs like infants. The Wanhui restaurant, located in Taiyuan city, also features other animals such as llamas, turtles, and deer, according to its Douyin (Chinese TikTok) profile.

Wanhui, which opened in June, reportedly sells around 20 packages per day, with each set costing 1,078 yuan (S$192), according to the state-owned Shanghai Daily. The offer has triggered controversy, with critics questioning its legality and impact on the animals' well-being. Reuters was unable to reach Wanhui for comment.

Many online reactions condemned the service, calling it harmful and unsafe. One Weibo user said, "This is just a rich person’s game. Ordinary people can’t even afford a drink." Another urged government intervention: "Authorities need to step in." This controversy follows a recent case in June, where a hotel in Chongqing came under investigation for letting red pandas climb onto guests’ beds as a “wake-up service,” according to Chinese media.