According to China's "People's Daily Online," the man was on a tour of the zoo with two female friends when he attempted to climb into the panda house and began teasing the sleeping panda.

He woke the 260lb animal, Mei Ling, who lunged at his leg and clenched it tightly. But when the intruder tried to get away, the animal wrestled him to the floor.

Upon being woken, the irritated panda was then seen on surveillance footage hugging the visitor's legs before sitting on him. 

He was trapped for around five minutes. Only when the panda rolled over was the man able to run away.

The visitor, surnamed Chen, said afterwards that he was trying to show off to his female friends by teasing the panda.

The foolhardy visitor, whose surname is Chen, was examined by medics after the incident on Thursday and found to be unharmed, The People's Daily reported. 

Mei Ling was also said to be unharmed.  

Although giant pandas may appear timid, they can cause serious injuries with their sharp claws and teeth when agitated. 

Wardens at the zoo said they avoid entering the enclosure for safety reasons.

"The young man left the zoo right after he escaped, and we could not get in touch with him," said Kuang Huaming, the deputy head of management office of the zoo.

"According to witnesses, his trousers were torn a little by the Panda, but the man should be okay. On the other hand, we also arranged medical checks for the panda and told the breeders to closely observe its condition. So far the panda is fine."