Beijing Zoo

Hours & Admission Price Peak Season
Apr.-Oct.
07:30-18:00
20 Low Season
Nov.-Mar.
07:30-17:00
15 Address & Phone +86 10-68315131 68390274 137 Xizhimenwai Dajie, Xicheng District Transportation Take Subway Line 4 and get off at Dongwuyuan.
Take Bus No. 7, 15, 19, 27, 65, 332, 334, 347, 360, 362, 534, 87, 632, 563, 685, 697, 808, 814, T4, T5 a Notes CNY130 (Zoo, Aquarium and Panda House, year round)
Beijing Aquarium: 10:00-16:30 (Jan. 16 to Mar.31)

As the largest and earliest zoo in China, Beijing Zoo boasts the largest animal number of species in China including panda, elephants, monkeys, tigers, bears, zebras, and many exotic birds.

Situated to the west of Beijing Exhibition Center in Xicheng District, Beijing,  Beijing Zoo covers an area of 89 hectares (220 acres), including 5.6 hectares (14 acres) hectares of lakes and ponds. Founded in 1906, it is the oldest in China. The zoo and its aquarium have over 500 species of land animals and over 1000 species of marine animals.

Beijing Zoo resembles classical Chinese gardens with dense groves of trees and flowers, stretches of grassland, lotus pools and small hills dotted with pavilions. The zoo is best known for its collection of rare animals particular to China, such as Pandas, golden snub-nosed monkey, South China Tiger, etc.

Visiting Guide

Generally Speaking, Beijing Zoo can be divided into three areas: the East, West and North areas. The main entrance is the south gate. Once you are enters the zoo from here, you’ll find the Panda House in the east area. After visiting the Panda House, you can go to the different halls in the west area and Beijing Aquarium in the north respectively. Besides, the zoo has many Qing-era buildings which are also worth to visit.

Halls in East Area

The East area is home to giant panda, canidae, bear, pheasant, nocturnal animals, waterfowl, big cats, lion and tiger, as well as animals from Australia and America. Among the many halls, Giant Panda House and Lion and Tiger Hill are the most popular.

Giant Panda House facing the main entrance is the home to giant pandas, the most popular animals within the zoo. Covering an area of 10,000 square meters (2.5 acres), it was built in 1989 in the style of traditional Chinese gardens shaped in the pattern of a Tai Chi diagram. Another of the zoo's famous halls is the Lion and Tiger Hill which is decorated in a unique mountain structure to archive a good visual effect as well as to avoid the cold wind in winter. The halls are like mysterious caves and you can appreciate various large cat animals such as Africa lion, Bengal tiger, Jaguar, panther as well as the most popular is Siberian Tiger.

Halls in West Area

At the west area, visitors can find Aviary, Flamingo, Crested Ibis, Amphibians and Reptiles, Penguin, Otter, Golden Monkey, Apes, Callitrichidae, Giraffe, Crane, Mandrill, Langur, Deer and African Animals as well as a Children’s Zoo.

The Apes Hall at the west end of the zoo houses a series of artificial hillocks and wooden apparatus with the gorilla murals as background. Gorillas and chimpanzee can be found at here. The Aviary on an artificial islet is like a flying bird housing nearly 20 species of small birds. The Children’s Zoo is popular among kids as they can feed or touch the animals.

Beijing Aquarium

Beijing Aquarium is situated at the north end of the zoo together with the Halls of Eagle, Elephant, Hippo and Rhino. Looking like a gigantic ocean trumpet shell, it is the largest inland aquarium in the world and voted as a must see for a visit to the zoo. The Aquarium breeds more than 1,000 marine species and freshwater fish in its six halls. From here, visitors can not only appreciate the aquatic species such as man-eating fishes, precious Chinese sturgeons, huge sea elephants and fierce sharks, but also enjoy the shows performed by the dolphins, sea lions and whales in the aquarium's Ocean Theater.

Ancient Buildings within the Zoo

With a history of over 100 years, Beijing Zoo boasts a few historical sites. Changuanlou Tower built in the late-19th century is a two-storey baroque-style building where Empress Dowager Ci Xi used as a palace during her visit to Summer Palace. However, the tower is now a club which is not open to public. Chang Chun Hall south of the Changguanlou Tower is also a historical site built in 1908 with a traditional Chinese style surrounded by artificial hills. Besides, Bin Feng Tang Restaurant and Song Jiaoren Memorial Tower are also ancient buildings dating back to early 20th century.

In a word, Beijing Zoo is more than a paradise for animals. Visitors also have the opportunity to enjoy flowers which are famous in China in a few Chinese classic gardens.

 

Beijing Culture