Home
Chongqing
Chongqing Zoo

Chongqing Zoo重庆动物园

Built in 1954, Chongqing Zoo is one of southwest China's largest city zoos. Its 43 hectares hold more than 400 species — nearly 10,000 animals — and its giant-panda population and breeding record rank among the national best, making it a key base for seeing the national treasure.

Chongqing · Visitor Guide2026-10-18

Quick Answer

Is Chongqing Zoo worth visiting?

A large southwest China zoo covering 43 hectares in Chongqing, home to 400-plus species and a leading giant panda base; 25 yuan peak, 20 yuan off-season, allow 3-4 hours.

Quick facts

Ticket	Peak season (Mar-Oct) ¥25; off-season (Nov-Feb) ¥20
Hours	Peak season 07:00-18:00; off-season 08:00-17:30
Recommended duration	3-4 hours
Best time to visit	Spring and autumn — mild weather, active animals
How to get there	Metro Line 2 to Zoo Station (Exit 1) direct; buses 416, 421, 429 to the Zoo stop
English signage	Yes
Wheelchair accessible	Yes
Address	79 Xijiao Road, Yangjiaping, Jiulongpo District, Chongqing
Type	Zoo / city park
Area	43 hectares
Species	400+
Ticket	25 yuan peak season, 20 yuan off-season
Recommended duration	3-4 hours

What to expect

Chongqing Zoo in Yangjiaping, Jiulongpo District, combines animal display, science education and ex-situ conservation. Tree-shaded and attractive, the animal houses follow the hillsides to mimic natural habitat as closely as possible. The panda house is a headline sight: the zoo is a leading national base for giant-panda breeding research, with a fine breeding record.

Beyond pandas the zoo keeps South China tigers, golden snub-nosed monkeys, gibbons, zebras, rhinos, hippos and elephants. The reptile house, bird house, primate house and herbivore zone each have their own character; the South China tiger population here is a nationally important conservation stock of real significance for the species' ex-situ protection.

Facilities are complete — visitor center, nursing rooms, restaurants and souvenir shops. Signage is clear, and the major exhibits carry Chinese-English interpretive boards. Spring and autumn are mild: the animals are liveliest and visitors most comfortable. Summer is a bit muggy, but the air-conditioned panda house makes the zoo a year-round outing.

How to get there

Metro Line 2 to Zoo Station Exit 1 — the gate is right outside. Buses 416, 421 and 429 also serve the Zoo stop. A taxi from downtown takes about 30 minutes and costs around 50 yuan.

Best photo spots

Giant pandas feeding in the panda house
Golden snub-nosed monkeys in their hall
The park lake with hill views beyond
Small animals in the children's zoo

Tips

Go early — animals are most active in the morning and many nap after lunch
Plan the panda house ahead; peak-season queues can run 1-2 hours
The park is big; families with small children can rent strollers
In-park restaurants are pricey; simple packed food is fine (do not feed the animals)

Scams to avoid

Unofficial parking around the zoo charges chaotically — use proper lots
Ignore street sellers of cheap tickets at the gate; they are all fakes
Feeding the animals is against the rules, and some vendors sell feed for a fee — decline

Frequently asked questions

Does Chongqing Zoo have giant pandas? Do I need to book?

Yes — it is a key place to see giant pandas. No booking is needed; the ticket includes the panda house, but expect queues in peak season.

Is there food inside the zoo?

Yes — several restaurants and kiosks serve fast food, noodles and snacks; the choice is decent, though slightly pricier than outside.

Can I bring food in?

Simple food is allowed, but feeding the animals is forbidden. Eat in the designated dining areas.

Other things to do in Chongqing

Ciqikou Ancient Town

The best-preserved old town in central Chongqing, where traditional Bayu architecture meets the city's wharf heritage — and one of its most popular photo spots. Free to enter; allow 3-4 hours.

Ciqikou Ancient Town

A 1,000-year-old Jialing River porcelain port turned pedestrian snack street in Chongqing's Shapingba District — free to enter, 2-3 hours to walk, and best at 08:30 on a weekday before the crowd.

Dazu Rock Carvings

50,000+ Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian statues carved into Chongqing cliffsides between the 9th and 13th centuries.

Fengdu Ghost City

Fengdu Ghost City above the Yangtze in Chongqing, themed on the Chinese underworld; entry 80 yuan, open 08:00-17:30, allow 2-3 hours, blending Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian culture.

Hongyadong (Hongya Cave)

A 11-floor hillside complex of traditional Chinese stilted buildings rebuilt in 2006 on the site of a Ming-dynasty wall city gate.

Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street

Chongqing's central landmark, the 27.5 m Liberation Monument completed in 1940 as China's only surviving victory memorial of the War of Resistance; malls open 10:00-22:00.

Liziba Monorail Station

Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 runs straight through floors 6-8 of a 19-storey apartment block at Liziba — a six-second spectacle you photograph from a free platform across the road.

Nanshan One Tree Viewing Platform

Chongqing's best night-view platform at about 400 m elevation, built in 1997; entry 30 yuan, open 09:00-22:30, reached by bus 384 from Shangxinjie metro station.

Three Gorges Museum

Chongqing's flagship museum, 42,000 sqm of galleries with 100,000+ relics; free with reservation, open 09:00-17:00, closed Mondays, 5 minutes on foot from Zengjiayan metro station.

Wulong Karst - Three Natural Bridges

A UNESCO World Natural Heritage site where three colossal natural bridges span a gorge — a filming location for Transformers: Age of Extinction. Entry CNY 125; allow 3-4 hours.

Yangtze River Cableway

A 1987 commuter cable car that still glides 1,166 m over the Yangtze between Yuzhong and Nan'an for about 20 yuan - the ride lasts under 5 minutes, but expect to queue an hour at peak.

Museums in Chongqing

Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum

Chongqing's flagship Three Gorges Museum, covering the Yangtze gorges civilization, the ancient Ba Kingdom and the wartime Nationalist-capital years; verified in 2026.