Beijing Zoo

Introducing Beijing Zoo
Founded in 1906, Beijing Zoo was the earliest zoo open to the public in China. About 5,000 animals of over 500 species and more than 500 species of marine fish and marine life are exhibited here. It is one of the largest zoos in China as well as a renowned one worldwide.

Beijing Zoo Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Beijing Dongwuyuan 北京动物园
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 3 to 6 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Seeing Animals
• Opening Hours: Zoo — 07:30-18:00 from Apr to Oct; 07:30-17:00 from Nov to Mar
                               Aquarium–09:00-17:30 from Apr to Oct; 10:00-16:30 from Nov to Mar
• Entrance Fee: ¥15/person from Apr to Oct; ¥10/person from Nov to Mar
   Trough ticket (Zoo + Panda House): ¥19/person from Apr to Oct; ¥14/person from Nov to Mar
   Beijing Aquarium: ¥168/person
• Address: No.137 Xizhimen Outer Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

What to expect at Beijing Zoo

Wild & Rare Animals
Beijing Zoo mainly exhibits China’s wild and rare animals. The Giant Pandas are one of the most popular exhibits, but other popular animals include the Sichuanese golden snub-nosed monkey, Manchurian tigers, white-lipped deer, yaks from Tibet, enormous sea turtles, polar bears from the North Pole, kangaroos from Australia, and zebras from Africa. Beijing Zoo is also a center of zoological research that collects and breeds rare animals from various continents.

Beijing Aquarium
Beijing Aquarium is a must for anyone visiting it. Opened in 1999, it is widely-recognized by tourist bodies as being one of the country’s top attractions, and is actually the largest inland aquarium in the world. The aquarium features thousands of different aquatic species – man-eating fishes, precious Chinese sturgeons, huge sea elephants and fierce sharks are among some of the highlights. Tourists can also enjoy shows performed by the dolphins, sea lions and whales in the aquarium’s Ocean Theater.

Historical Relics
While here, visitors also have the chance to sample some of the nearby historical relics: Lamarck Hall was built to commemorate the life of Lamarck (1744-1829), a famous French natural historian, and has also been used as the Chinese Botanical Science Research Base.

Also on the site is the Song Jiaoren Memorial Tower. Song (1882-1913) was one of the early leaders of the Kuomintang, but was assassinated soon after he was elected as China’s premier in 1913.

Another site of historical interest is the Changguanlou: a two storied, baroque-style building constructed from brick and wood. In the late-19th century it was occupied by the Empress Dowager Ci Xi (1835-1908), ruler of the Qing court between 1861 and 1908. Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925), the founder of the Kuomintang, is also said to have lived in the hall.

How to get to Beijing Zoo

By Bus
• Take bus No. 27, 87, 105, 107, 111, 332, 347, 360, 362, 534, 563, 632, Special Line 4 or 19 and get off at Dongwuyuan Station.

By Metro
• Take Metro Line 4 and get off at Dongwuyuan (Beijing Zoo) Station (Exit B)

Additional travel advice on Beijing Zoo
• It is not recommended to visit the zoo on weekend or holidays.
• Please protect the animals and do not feed them with your own food.