Located in the Jiulongpo District and 8 kilometers from downtown Chongqing, Chongqing Zoo is a popular tourist attraction in this city. Opened in 1955, it covers an area of 111 acres. This is a large urban zoo that integrates various functions, including science popularization, animal protection, scientific research, and leisure entertainment, and never miss this highly cost-effective zoo on your China family tours to Chongqing.
- Location: No. 1, Xijiao Yicun, Jiulongpo District, Chongqing, China (about a 30-minute drive from Jiefangbei in the city center ).
- Best time to visit: All year round, arrive before 10:30 AM when the pandas are more active.
- Recommended visiting time: 2-3hours
Basic Facts about Chongqing Zoo
- Chongqing Zoois divided into 10 functional areas: the Fish and Amphibian Reptile Area, the Bird Exhibition Area, the Herbivore Area, the Predator Area, the Primate Area, the Science Education Area, the Children’s Amusement Park, the Riverside Leisure Area, the Central Rest and Touring Area, and the Quiet Rest Area.
- Chongqing Zooboasts over 20 animal houses and breeds over 260 species with 4,000 animals, among which there are many rare animals, such as giant pandas, red pandas, South China tigers, takins, Asian elephants, Asiatic golden cats, and clouded l
- Chongqing Zoo has a total of 22 giant pandas and is one of the zoos with the largest population of giant pandas in China. Besides, the famous pandas Sixiwanzi, Yuke, and Yu’ai are living there.
Chongqing Zoo Highlights
As a “National Key Park”, Chongqing Zoo boasts 21 unique exhibition halls and over 240 species of rare and endangered animals. Unlike typical zoos in plain area, Chongqing Zoo is built on the hillside. It cleverly utilizes its elevation difference to enhance visitors’ experience. For example, the Goldfish Pavilion is built above a natural pond. And the cliffside walkways allow visitors to unexpectedly spot a sunbathing snow leopard on the rock walls.
1. Panda House
Rebuilt in 1988, the Panda House in Chongqing Zoo covers an area of 11,000 square meters and is the largest house in the zoo. It has a beautiful environment with lush foliage as well as many tree stumps and stone caves, which provide a good habitat for the pandas. As one of the breeding centers for giant pandas and red pandas, the Panda House is divided into two sections where different pandas live. Yuke and Yu’ai live in the Upper House, and Sixiwanzi lives in the Lower House.
2. Tiger House
The Tiger House is a highlighted zone in Chongqing Zoo that you must visit on your Chongqing tours, as it houses the South China tiger, which is one of China’s top ten endangered animals and a nationally protected species at the highest level. This zoo has started to cultivate the South China tiger since 1956, and it has 5 tigers of this kind up til now. The tigers tend to be more active during 8:30 – 9:30 in the morning and 3:30 – 4:30 in the afternoon, you can see them during those periods.
3. Goldfish House
Praised as “the Most Beautiful Attraction in Chongqing Parks” in 2017, Goldfish House in Chongqing Zoo is a classical garden with a remarkable design and exquisite layout. Consisting of the pavilion gallery, the aquarium, and the open-air lotus pond, this area exhibits goldfish, tropical fish, and more throughout the year. Standing on a bridge, you’ll see multifarious goldfish in different colors swimming in the pond.
4. Children’s Amusement Park
The Children’s Amusement Park in Chongqing Zoo is equipped with over 20 facilities. You can experience the exhilarating spinning roller coaster and bumper cars, the interesting deluxe carousel, mini train, and shuttle ride, as well as the interactive Battle Shark Island, Ocean Drift, and Space Walk. Whatever your preference, you’ll have endless joy on your Yangtze River Cruise tours at Chongqing Zoo of China.
5. Bird Area
The bird area is called Birdsong Forest (鸟语林), which is an open-air canyon bird park with over 3,000 rare and exotic birds. Unlike traditional bird areas that separate visitors and birds with cages, this open-air bird park allows birds and visitors to coexist freely in the same environment.
Here, you can encounter the beautiful blue and white peacocks at your feet, the camera-loving flamingos showing striking poses in front of you, and the red-bellied pheasant swooping above your head.
6. Amphibian and Reptile Pavilion
This is the first cave-themed reptile pavilion in China. Simulating the unique environment of a Karst limestone cave, this area will offer you a Dark Sci-Fi Adventure.
It is home to over 25 species of animals and more than 300 individuals. Here you can encounter fascinating creatures such as the baby-sound-producing mudfish, vibrant golden pythons, and crocodiles lurking beneath the glass floor.
A highlight in the pavilion is the gecko and related species exhibit, where the UV lighting creates a fluorescent illusion.
How to Buy Entrance Ticket for Chongqing Zoo
You can buy an entrance ticket at the ticket station of Chongqing Zoo or book a ticket online via its official ticketing system.
Price of Entrance Ticket
| Peak Season (Jan. – Nov.) | CNY 25 |
| Low Season (Dec.) | CNY 20 |
Note: Children under 6 years old or 1.2 meters in height can visit Chongqing Zoo for free, and students enjoy a 50% discount.
Chongqing Zoo Opening Hours
| Opening Time | 8:00 – 18:00 |
| Ticket Checking Time | 8:00 – 16:30 |
| Science Classroom Hours | Weekdays: 10:00-11:00, 14:00-16:30
Weekends and holidays: 10:00-16:30 |
Recommended Route for Visiting Chongqing Zoo
East 2nd Gate – Panda House – Goldfish House – Amphibian House – Red Panda House – Birds Paradise – Comprehensive Animal House – Penguin House – Cute Animal Zone – Monkey House – Bear House – Tiger House – Deer House – Hippo House – Rhinoceros House – Kangaroo House – Elephant House – Giraffe House – Panda House – East 2nd Gate
Best Time to Visit Chongqing Zoo
Chongqing Zoo is open all year round, and you can visit there anytime you want. Just note that Chongqing experiences a humid subtropical monsoon climate with early spring, hot summer, cool autumn, and warm winter. Hence, the best time to visit there is during spring, autumn, and winter when the weather is mild. Besides, if you want to see panda activities, visit the zoo in the morning from 8:30 – 9:00.
Read more about Chongqing weather.
Tips for Visiting Chongqing Zoo
- There is a Visit Center of Chongqing Zooat the East 2nd Gate that provides luggage storage services, and you can store your luggage there, with CNY 15 for small luggage, CNY 20 for medium-sized luggage, and CNY 35 for big one.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as it is a large zoo with a long way to go. Particularly, high-heeled shoes are not recommended.
- Don’t feed the animals in Chongqing Zoo or make noise to frighten the animals.
How to Get to Chongqing Zoo
By Rail Transit: Take Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 to Chongqing Zoo Station and exit through exit 2, then you will be at the East 2nd Gate of the zoo.
By Bus: If you are traveling from the Chongqing Liberation Monument, take Bus No. 413 to Chongqing Zoo directly. If you find yourself in other parts of Chongqing, you can take Bus No. 148, 207, 275, 420, 822, 478, and 475 to the zoo.
Recommended Chongqing Tours
- 1 Day Chongqing City Tour
- 2 Days Chongqing Tour with Dazu Rock Carvings
- 4 Days Chongqing Tour with Yangtze River Cruise
