Chongqing Zoo is located at Xijiao Yicun, Yangjiaping, Jiulongpo District, Chongqing, and is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. It was first established in 1953 and covers an area of 43.5 hectares. The park features typical hilly terrain, giving it the style of a mountain zoo, with fresh and beautiful natural scenery. The animal exhibition area, as the main part of the park, covers about 29 hectares, accounting for approximately 70% of the total visitable area. Throughout the year, the zoo exhibits over 230 species of wild animals, with a total of about 4,000 individuals, and rare protected animals account for more than 80% of the collection.
History and Culture
The origin of Chongqing Zoo can be traced back to August 1953, when the Chongqing Construction Bureau set up a special team to prepare for its establishment. In September of the same year, under professional guidance, a site was selected around Xia Shiqiao, Yangjiaping, with Taohua Creek as the core area, and 10 hectares of land were allocated to create "Yangjiaping Park." In March 1954, infrastructure construction began, and after completion at the end of December that year, it was renamed "Xiqu Park" and officially opened to the public on January 24, 1955. In 1958, following relevant directives, Xiqu Park began to be converted into a zoo. After multiple expansions and adjustments, it was officially renamed "Chongqing Zoo" in October 1960. By 1966, it had grown into a medium-sized zoo with considerable scale and functionality. Since then, the zoo has continuously explored operational models—for example, in 1979, it organized off-site animal exhibitions and cultural entertainment activities, leading to significant increases in revenue and visitor numbers. In 2009, it was designated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development as a National Key Park, a National AAAA-Level Tourist Attraction, and also became the Chongqing Main Urban Area Aquatic Animal Rescue Center, Terrestrial Animal Rescue Center, National Science Education Base, Chongqing Study Tour Demonstration Base, among others.
Major Attractions
Panda House
The Panda House is the star pavilion of Chongqing Zoo. The adorable giant pandas live here, and the enclosure is carefully designed to simulate their natural habitat, providing suitable temperatures, abundant food, and ample space for activity. Visitors can observe the pandas up close through transparent glass, watching them eat bamboo, play, rest, and learn more about their living habits and conservation significance.
Golden Monkey House
Located in the northeast part of the zoo, adjacent to the bird area, the Golden Monkey House covers a total area of 1,500 square meters and consists of three independent exhibition zones (each 500 square meters). It mainly houses and exhibits Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys and Guizhou snub-nosed monkeys.
Goldfish Hall
The Goldfish Hall displays a wide variety of goldfish. It collects famous domestic and international goldfish breeds, including Dragon Eye, Bubble Eye, Butterfly Tail, and others. The pools inside are exquisitely arranged with clear water, supplemented by appropriate lighting and landscaping, creating a suitable environment for the goldfish. Visitors can appreciate the colorful and variously shaped goldfish swimming gracefully and experience the unique charm of goldfish culture.
Bird Forest
The Bird Forest at Chongqing Zoo is the largest ecological open-air bird exhibition area in China. It breaks the traditional pattern of birds in cages and visitors viewing through bars, allowing people and birds to interact freely in one environment. More than 20 species of birds are exhibited here; some can even be touched by visitors and fed from their hands. Every day, entertaining and exciting bird performances are held on a rotating schedule, free for visitors to enjoy.
Red Panda
The red panda resembles a cat in appearance and is reddish-brown all over. It has short, stout limbs and a long, bushy tail. It mainly lives in coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forests or evergreen broad-leaved forests with bamboo thickets below 3,000 meters above sea level. Its active range is relatively large; in summer, it tends to stay in shady slopes with streams in valleys, while in winter it moves to sunny slopes and valley basins.
Cute Animal Area
The Cute Animal Area is an ecological pavilion newly built and opened in September 2008, covering 4,679 square meters. It houses and exhibits small animals such as meerkats, raccoons, marmots, rabbits, and lambs. Visitors can observe these lovely animals up close, see what they eat, and watch them play in their adorable ways.
Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill houses South China tigers, Bengal tigers, and Siberian tigers. The tiger is a well-known animal, symbolizing kingship, courage, strength, and determination. For this reason, the tiger's head is used as the emblem of Chongqing Zoo.
Suggested Tour Route
Entering through the main gate, first head to the Panda House to see the adorable giant pandas. Then proceed to the Goldfish Hall to admire the colorful goldfish. Next, visit the Bird Area to enjoy various bird species. After that, go to the Predator Area to watch tigers, lions, and other carnivores. Then move on to the Herbivore Area to see gentle animals like giraffes and zebras. Afterwards, visit the Amphibian & Reptile House to learn about various amphibians and reptiles. Finally, take a rest in the park's relaxation zone, enjoy some local snacks, and exit through the main gate.
Travel Tips：
It is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance to avoid queuing at the entrance.
You may bring your own drinking water and small snacks; there are also dining and shopping facilities inside, but prices may be relatively higher.
Wear comfortable shoes, as the park is large and you will need to walk for extended periods.
If visiting with children, you can learn some animal科普 knowledge beforehand to better introduce the animals to them.
While viewing animals, please follow park regulations, do not feed the animals, and avoid any dangerous behavior.
Important Notices：
Please cooperate with security checks upon entry and do not bring prohibited items into the park.
Take care of public facilities and maintain environmental hygiene; do not spit or litter.
Keep a safe distance when viewing animals, do not make loud noises or disturb the animals.
In case of emergency, seek help from staff or call the park's emergency hotline.
Pay attention to weather changes and bring appropriate clothing and rain gear accordingly.
Transportation：
Bus: Take bus routes 404, 411, 416, 421, 426, 428, 207, 223, 224, 225, 233, 234, 235, etc., and get off at "Zoo" stop.
Metro: Take Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2, get off at "Zoo" station, and exit from Gate 1 to reach the zoo entrance.
Driving: Navigate to "Chongqing Zoo." Parking lots are available nearby, but spaces may be limited during holidays and peak hours.
Opening Hours：
Chongqing Zoo is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00, with last admission at 16:30. It is open year-round (except under special circumstances). Specific opening hours may be adjusted according to seasons and park arrangements; visitors are advised to check official announcements in advance.
Ticket Prices：
The ticket price for Chongqing Zoo is 25 RMB per adult. For the most current ticket policies, please refer to the official announcement from the scenic area.