Hailing from their own secret island empire, the Pandaren are a race of humanoids resembling panda bears. This appearance leads some to underestimate these noble creatures, thinking them harmless and “cute.” However, pandaren have a long tradition of mystic warfare and are exceedingly strong and agile. The traditional pandaren fighting style focuses upon mobility, speed and precision, as well as stunning acrobatic tricks. Many pandaren are also skilled at unarmed combat.

Only the pandaren know the intricacies of their society, but alcohol is a central feature. Pandaren in general are connoisseurs of ale and stronger drink, leading to a unique kinship with Ironforge dwarves. A caste of wandering pandaren warriors called Brewmasters is highly respected in their culture. A few Brewmasters have been spotted in Kalimdor, searching for new beverages to sample and ingredients to add to their own brews.

Pandaren are affable and noble, trained in battle but always seeking peace. Pandaren philosophy centers on a harmony of opposites – male and female, calm and chaos, existence and non-existence. Pandaren feel a strong link to the natural world and seek to maintain a peace between all races and nature.

Very few Pandaren ever leave their hidden island homeland of Pandaria—although rumors tell of a Pandaren settlement within the Stonetalon Mountains—but those that do have proved themselves to be strong warriors specializing in Drunken Brawling with great command of the elements. The most famous of these warriors is Chen Stormstout, who assisted the half-ogre Rexxar and the Horde after the fall of the Burning Legion. No one knows what became of him afterwards, but several of his empty kegs have been found scattered around the Barrens.

Though Chen assisted Rexxar, Pandaren do not seem to be specifically affiliated with either the Horde, the Alliance, or any other group. In Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne’, the Pandaren Brewmaster is a neutral hero that can be recruited by any of the four races.

[edit] References in WoW
Chen’s Empty Keg: Refers to the secret Pandaren Brewmaster hero Chen Stormstout who aided Rexxar in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne.
For some time, Pandaren had been rumored to be a new playable race being introduced in the Burning Crusade expansion, usually as the new Alliance race, however Blizzard Entertainment announced the Draenei to be the new race.
A group of three children NPCs who run about through Stormwind and talk on piers in the canals about various rumors mentions Pandaren. One insists they are real, while another thinks they are just a legend. Some view this as a confirmation that Pandaren exist in WoW to some extent.