Chongqing Zoo – Ticket Price, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights

Chongqing Zoo (重庆动物园), originally known as Xiqu Park, first opened its doors to the public in January 1955. Spanning an impressive 43.5 hectares, it has become a prominent destination, welcoming nearly 3.6 million visitors from both within China and around the world annually. The zoo is a multifunctional urban oasis that seamlessly combines education, animal conservation, scientific research, and leisure and entertainment. Notably, it holds the distinction of being one of the zoos with the largest population of giant pandas.

The Chongqing Zoo is divided into ten distinct functional zones, featuring over 20 animal enclosures. In addition to these, the park boasts a children’s playground, an ice skating rink, an outdoor stage, a reading room, restaurants, and a tea garden. The zoo is home to more than 260 different species and over 4,000 individual animals, including several rare and endangered species such as giant pandas, South China tigers, golden snub-nosed monkeys, Asian elephants, serows, sika deer, and vultures.

Table of Contents

• Basic Information
• Location and Transportation
• Highlights of Chongqing Zoo
  • Carnivore Zone
  • Primate Zone
  • Aviary Zone
  • Aquatic and Amphibian Reptile Zone
  • Herbivore Zone
  • Science Education Zone
  • Children’s Activity Zone
• Vlog about Chongqing Zoo
• Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
• Attractions near Chongqing Zoo

Basic Information

Location and Transportation

Chongqing Zoo is located at 1 Xijiao Yicun, Jiulongpo District, Chongqing, China. It sits in the southwestern outskirts of Chongqing city, making it easily accessible for both local residents and tourists visiting this vibrant metropolis. To get there, you can choose the following ways:

• Bus: Take bus 148, 203, 207, 229, 275, 310, 341, 362, 413, 416, 419, 420, 426, 428, 454, 471, 475, 478, 822, 1200, or 1265 and get off at Chongqing Zoo Stop (动物园站)
• Metro: The closest metro station to Chongqing Zoo is Dongwuyuan (动物园) on line 2. After getting out of the station from Exit 1, you will be standing right at the entrance.

Highlights of Chongqing Zoo

Carnivore Zone

The Carnivore Zone, covering an area of 650 square meters, offers outdoor enclosures spanning 5,850 square meters for the animals to roam freely. Within this zone, the original Bear Mountain has been preserved, and new exhibits such as Tiger Mountain, Lion Mountain, Leopard Mountain, and the Hyena and Wolf Pavilion have been added. The carnivore enclosures primarily employ ecological and semi-natural exhibit designs, showcasing 35 species of ferocious animals including South China tigers, Northeast tigers, African lions, leopards, bears, hyenas, and wolves.

Primate Zone

The Primate Zone is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces a water body, meticulously recreating the ecological habitats of primates. This zone blends indoor, semi-indoor, and outdoor exhibits, with a total construction area of 2,680 square meters and an outdoor activity area spanning 1,150 square meters. The Primate Zone features several key exhibits, including the Gibbon Pavilion, the Monkey Pavilion, and the introduction of the Golden Snub-nosed Monkey Pavilion at the west end of the zoo’s central axis, harmonizing with the Panda Pavilion located at the east end. Altogether, the Primate Zone showcases approximately 20 species of primates, including golden snub-nosed monkeys, langurs, gibbons, mandrills, and baboons.

Aviary Zone

The Aviary Zone encompasses a variety of habitats for different bird species. It includes the Waterfowl Lake, the Walk-in Aviary, the Peacock Pavilion, the Ostrich Pavilion, the Raptor Pavilion, the Songbird Pavilion, and a unique Aviary with a walk-in feature for visitors to get up close to the birds. This zone combines both indoor and outdoor exhibits, covering a total area of 1,570 square meters indoors and 1,610 square meters outdoors, with an additional 5,800 square meters of water surface for bird activities. The Aviary Zone is home to a diverse range of bird species, including waterfowl, songbirds, raptors, walking birds, and pheasants.

Aquatic and Amphibian Reptile Zone

The Aquatic and Amphibian Reptile Zone, located in the central part of the zoo, occupies the former Goldfish Pavilion area. It includes the Goldfish Corridor, a small-scale aquarium, and an amphibian and reptile pavilion. The zone combines both indoor and outdoor exhibits, with a total indoor display area of 1,900 square meters and an outdoor display area of 3,000 square meters. Approximately 30 species of fish, frogs, snakes, and crocodiles are showcased here.

Herbivore Zone

The Herbivore Zone, situated in the southern part of the zoo, features both existing animal exhibits such as the Panda Pavilion, the Elephant Pavilion, the Antelope Pavilion, the Giraffe Pavilion, and the Wild Ass Pavilion, as well as newly constructed exhibits like the Serow Pavilion, the Hippo Pavilion, and the Marsupial Pavilion. Covering an area of 4,280 square meters for animal displays and a vast outdoor activity area spanning 16,400 square meters, the Herbivore Zone focuses on ecological and naturalistic exhibits, highlighting herbivorous animals such as giant pandas, red pandas, Asian elephants, hippos, rhinoceroses, giraffes, zebras, Mongolian wild asses, serows, sika deer, camels, kangaroos, and ibexes.

Science Education Zone

The Science Education Zone is located in the northeastern part of the zoo and comprises the Science Museum, the Animal Performance Arena, and the Adorable Animal Garden. The Science Museum is a two-story building located in the former zoo office area, designed for indoor exhibitions. It offers comprehensive education on animals, plants, environmental conservation, and the intricate relationship between humans and nature. It utilizes various means and methods, including audiovisual materials, images, computer displays, laser shows, and animal specimens to educate and engage young visitors in wildlife conservation and environmental awareness, fostering harmony between humans and nature.

Children’s Activity Zone

The Children’s Activity Zone retains the original Children’s Playground, covering approximately 1.4 hectares in the eastern part of the zoo. Building upon the existing playground, efforts have been made to enrich and enhance the play experiences for children by replacing outdated equipment with new, age-appropriate ones. The design of playground equipment and toys caters to the interests and preferences of children of various ages. The layout of the area takes into consideration both the functional requirements of the play equipment and the rational arrangement of the garden, integrating the play elements seamlessly with the natural surroundings.

Vlog about Chongqing Zoo

Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews

Transportation: It’s recommended to take Metro Line 2 and alight at the “Dongwuyuan” (动物园) station. Walking from there is the preferred option as driving is inconvenient due to limited parking, which could take over 40 minutes to find.

Food and Refreshments: Inside the zoo, there are restaurants available, but they are described as pricey with average-tasting food. To save money, it’s advised to bring your own snacks and water.

Giant Pandas: Chongqing Zoo is home to 22 giant pandas. They are usually outdoors around 8:30 AM, become more active around 10 AM, and return to rest around 11 AM. They come out again around 2 PM and rest by 4 PM.

Entrance Options: The main entrance may experience long queues at times. An alternative is to enter from the east gate, which tends to have fewer people.

Attractions near Chongqing Zoo

501 Art Base

Jiaotong Tea House

Graffiti Street, Chongqing