Beijing Zoo 🇨🇳

Located in Xizhimen within Beijing's Xicheng District, the Beijing Zoo offers you a chance to explore China's oldest zoo and northern China's oldest public park. Founded in 1906 during the late Qing dynasty, this expansive 89-hectare destination combines zoological research with classical Chinese garden design. As you wander past flower beds, lotus pools, streams, and historical pavilions, you will encounter a collection housing roughly 14,500 animals.

The zoo is especially renowned for rare species endemic to China, giving you the opportunity to see giant pandas, red pandas, golden snub-nosed monkeys, South China tigers, white-lipped deer, Père David's deer, crested ibises, and Chinese alligators. Alongside its terrestrial habitats, the grounds host over 30 large halls, including the Elephant House, Lion-Tiger Mountain, and Primate House, as well as Qing dynasty structures like Changguanlou, a well-preserved Baroque-style country palace. Within the park, you can also visit the Beijing Aquarium, the largest in China, featuring fish, marine mammals, and dolphin shows.

Drawing over five million visitors each year, the zoo provides a memorable glimpse into Chinese history, wildlife conservation, and traditional landscape aesthetics.

What to see at Beijing Zoo

• Giant pandas and rare endemic Chinese species
• Beijing Aquarium with marine mammals and dolphin shows
• Historic Changguanlou Baroque-style country palace
• Classical Chinese garden grounds with lotus pools and streams

Visiting tips

Take Subway Line 4 to Beijing Zoo Station located right outside the entrance for quick public transport access.

How long: Half day · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Beijing Zoo is easy to reach on Beijing’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Forbidden City and Summer Palace. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Beijing travel guide.