Chongqing Zoo, established in 1953, covers an area of 43.5 hectares. It is a national key park, a AAAA scenic tourist attraction, a major wild animal ex-situ conservation center in western China, and a national science education base. It is located in Jiulongpo District, Chongqing.
Further Reading: [Chongqing Free Travel] Chongqing Attractions, Transportation, Food, and Shopping
The park is lush with trees and built along the hillside, with rolling terrain. Birds gather over the lake, green mountains embrace it on three sides, and bamboo groves frame it all around. The natural scenery is fresh and beautiful, with captivating views everywhere.
More than 4,000 wild animals from over 230 species are on display in the park, and more than 80% are rare protected animals. Among them, giant pandas, South China tigers, Asian elephants, rhinos, golden snub-nosed monkeys, giraffes, red-crowned cranes, and black swans are especially popular with visitors.
Basic Information About Chongqing Zoo
📍Address: No. 1, Xijiao First Village, Xijiao Road, Jiulongpo District, Chongqing (Map)
Tickets: Adult 25 RMB/person (20 RMB/person in December); students/children/seniors half price
Ticket Booking: Trip
Opening Hours: 8:00–18:00 (last entry at 16:30)
Suggested Visit Duration: 3–5 hours
Transportation: Take Rail Transit Line 2, get off at Zoo Station, exit from Exit 1, walk about 4 minutes, and enter through East Gate 2
Inquiry Phone Number: 023-68433494
Luggage Storage: Visitor Service Center at East Gate 2
Animals in the Zoo
1. Giant Pandas: The zoo currently has 22 giant pandas, the largest number on display among urban zoos in China. The Panda House is divided into the Lower Panda House and the Upper Panda House.
At the Upper House, you can see “Four Joy Meatballs Eating Hot Pot — Double Happiness” and the “clingy brothers — Xingxing and Chenchen”; at the Lower House, you can see the “water-saving ambassadors and welcoming duo — Yuke and Yu’ai” and the “loving mother and dutiful child — Mangzai and Mang Cancan.”
2. Asian Elephant: The older-generation favorite “Bobo” is part of the childhood memories of many people born in the 1980s and 1990s. Bobo loves going outdoors and exercises every day.
3. South China Tiger: Often misunderstood for being too thin, which frequently leads to the neighboring Bengal white tiger being unfairly criticized online. In fact, it eats 7 kg of meat every day. The reason for its lean build is mainly due to inbreeding decline.
4. Northern Pig-Tailed Macaque: “Liumang” won the affection of “Cuihua” because he’s so handsome, but he especially loves interacting with humans and even likes throwing flirtatious glances.
5. Red Pandas: Small and adorable, with round little faces and fluffy tails, they are especially loved by visitors.
Fun fact: red pandas are not related to raccoons! Red pandas are also not related to giant pandas! Don’t mix them up, everyone!!
6. Clouded Leopard: There is only one in zoos across mainland China, and many visitors want to catch a glimpse of it. But because it is a mostly nocturnal animal and especially fond of sleeping, it often can’t be seen during the day. Because of this, it feels especially mysterious to many visitors.
Visiting Tips
1. Suggested route:
① Enter through East Gate 2 → Lower Panda House → New Panda House → Upper Panda House → Dinosaur Valley → giraffes and antelopes → elephants and zebras → deer area → leopards, wolves, and bears → ape house → monkey house → cute animal area and lions → Tiger Mountain → rhinos and hippos → goldfish hall → amphibian and reptile hall → aviary → exit through East Gate 1
2. Notes:
① The giant pandas are most active during these times: 9:00–10:30, 14:00–15:00, and 16:00–16:30.
② Please do not feed the animals casually during your visit. Where there is glass, do not tap on it either, as that will frighten them.
③ You cannot bring your own pets into the zoo!
3. Recommended nearby food: Qiwei Dry Pot, Sifang Eatery, Wuji Pig Trotter Rice, Ziweixuan, Liangshan Chicken, canned rice noodles, Lai-style wontons, and more
Chongqing Zoo Guide Map
