Chongqing Zoo: All You Should Know Before You Go

Written by Veronica | Updated March 19,2026

For just CNY 25, you can step into Chongqing Zoo and enjoy a healing tour. The journey begins the moment you arrive at the Zoo Station of metro line 2, because the station is panda-themed. Then, enter the zoo to meet one of the largest “panda populations” in China. It is home to 22 lovely giant pandas, including the famous Yu’ai and two pairs of twins called Sixiwanzi. Looking at them eating bamboo, climbing trees or playing will heal your heart. Besides pandas, you can also encounter many other rare and endangered wildlife, like south China tigers, red pandas, golden cats, and more.

The zoo itself is also a natural oxygen bar. It is built on hilly terrain with natural ponds, gardens, and shady rest areas, offering you a fresh environment and a relaxing experience. Do not miss it on your China family tour to Chongqing.

Content Preview

• Basic Facts about Chongqing Zoo
• Chongqing Zoo Highlights
• How to Buy Entrance Ticket for Chongqing Zoo
• Recommended Route for Visiting Chongqing Zoo
• How to Visit Chongqing Zoo
• FAQs about Chongqing Zoo
• Plan Your Chongqing Tour with China Xian Tour

Basic Facts about Chongqing Zoo

• Location: No. 1, Xijiao Yicun, Jiulongpo District, Chongqing, China (about a 30-minute drive from Jiefangbei in the city center ).
• Area: 111 acres
• Ticket: CNY 20 – 25
• Opening hours: 8:00 – 18:00 (Stop entry at 16:30)
• Best time to visit: All year round, arrive before 10:30 AM when the pandas are more active.
• Recommended visiting time: 2 – 3hours
• Animal Species: over 260 species with 4,000 animals
• Major animals: giant pandas, red pandas, South China tigers, takins, Asian elephants, Asiatic golden cats, clouded leopard, etc.

Related Reading: 20+ Fascinating Giant Panda Facts: Getting to Know China’s National Treasure

Chongqing Zoo Highlights

As a “National Key Park”, Chongqing Zoo boasts 21 unique exhibition halls and over 240 species of rare and endangered animals. Unlike typical zoos in plain area, Chongqing Zoo is built on the hillside. It cleverly utilizes its elevation difference to enhance visitors’ experience. For example, the Goldfish Pavilion is built above a natural pond. And the cliffside walkways allow visitors to unexpectedly spot a sunbathing snow leopard on the rock walls.

1. Panda House

Rebuilt in 1988, the Panda House in Chongqing Zoo covers an area of 11,000 square meters and is the largest house in the zoo. It has a beautiful environment with lush foliage as well as many tree stumps and stone caves, which provide a good habitat for the pandas. As one of the breeding centers for giant pandas and red pandas, the Panda House is divided into two sections where different pandas live. Yuke and Yu’ai live in the Upper House, and Sixiwanzi lives in the Lower House.

2. Tiger House

The Tiger House is a highlighted zone in Chongqing Zoo that you must visit on your Chongqing tours, as it houses the South China tiger, which is one of China’s top ten endangered animals and a nationally protected species at the highest level. This zoo has started to cultivate the South China tiger since 1956, and it has 5 tigers of this kind up til now. The tigers tend to be more active during 8:30 – 9:30 in the morning and 3:30 – 4:30 in the afternoon, you can see them during those periods.

3. Goldfish House

Praised as “the Most Beautiful Attraction in Chongqing Parks” in 2017, Goldfish House in Chongqing Zoo is a classical garden with a remarkable design and exquisite layout. Consisting of the pavilion gallery, the aquarium, and the open-air lotus pond, this area exhibits goldfish, tropical fish, and more throughout the year. Standing on a bridge, you’ll see multifarious goldfish in different colors swimming in the pond.

4. Bird Area

The bird area is called Birdsong Forest (鸟语林), which is an open-air canyon bird park with over 3,000 rare and exotic birds. Unlike traditional bird areas that separate visitors and birds with cages, this open-air bird park allows birds and visitors to coexist freely in the same environment.

Here, you can encounter the beautiful blue and white peacocks at your feet, the camera-loving flamingos showing striking poses in front of you, and the red-bellied pheasant swooping above your head.

5. Amphibian and Reptile Pavilion

This is the first cave-themed reptile pavilion in China. Simulating the unique environment of a Karst limestone cave, this area will offer you a Dark Sci-Fi Adventure.

It is home to over 25 species of animals and more than 300 individuals. Here you can encounter fascinating creatures such as the baby-sound-producing mudfish, vibrant golden pythons, and crocodiles lurking beneath the glass floor.

A highlight in the pavilion is the gecko and related species exhibit, where the UV lighting creates a fluorescent illusion.

6. Children’s Amusement Park

There is a dedicated Children’s Amusement Park in Chongqing Zoo. It is equipped with over 20 facilities. You can experience the exhilarating spinning roller coaster and bumper cars, the interesting deluxe carousel, mini train, and shuttle ride, as well as the interactive Battle Shark Island, Ocean Drift, and Space Walk. Whatever your preference, you’ll have endless joy on your tour at Chongqing Zoo of China.

In the park, there is also a science classroom. During public holidays, it will be open to all tourists for free. You can watch the educational nature movies, do animal-themed puzzles, or read wildlife books with your kids. Sometimes, it will also hold handicraft activities. Kids can make small animals with clay or make a bookmark, etc.

How to Buy Entrance Ticket for Chongqing Zoo

You can buy an entrance ticket at the ticket station of Chongqing Zoo or book a ticket online via its official ticketing system.

Price of Entrance Ticket

Note: Children under 6 years old or 1.2 meters in height can visit Chongqing Zoo for free, and students enjoy a 50% discount.

Chongqing Zoo Opening Hours

Recommended Route for Visiting Chongqing Zoo

Set East Gate 2 as your starting point can help make the most of your visit to Chongqing Zoo. This entrance is conveniently located near Light Rail Transit Line 2 and you can find a quick access to the Panda House, the most popular highlight in the zoo.

Since giant pandas are usually more active in the early morning and in the late afternoon around 4:00 PM, it’s wise to visit them first before crowds come in or the animals retreat for rest. After enjoying your best time the pandas, you can follow one of the recommended routes below, which are tailored to fit different durations and interests.

Route A: Classic Family Tour (2–2.5 Hours)

Highlights: Pandas, Goldfish, Amphibians, Birds, Playground

East 2nd Gate → Panda House → Red Panda House → Goldfish House → Amphibian Pavilion → Birdsong Forest → Children’s Amusement Park → Exit

Tip: This route is particularly suitable for people who’re traveling with kids and elders. If you choose this one, you can expect to see all the highlights without long walks.

Route B: Full Experience Tour (Approx. 2.5–3 hours)

Highlights: Rare species + Full animal section

Panda House → Goldfish House → Amphibian House → Red Panda House → Birds Paradise → Comprehensive Animal House → Penguin House → Cute Animal Zone → Monkey House → Bear House → Tiger House → Deer House → Hippo House → Rhinoceros House → Kangaroo House → Elephant House → Giraffe House → Return to East 2nd Gate

Tips: This comprehensive route provides opportunities to have close look at both exotic and native species, from majestic tigers to gentle giraffes. It is ideal for first-time visitors or wildlife enthusiasts.

Route C: Photography Tour (2–3 Hours)

Highlights: Best lighting and animal activity time

Recommended Time: Arrive before 9:00 AM

Start at Panda House while the pandas are most active → move to Tiger House by 9:30 → Bird Forest for natural light photos → Goldfish Pavilion

Tip: Bring a zoom lens and visit the site on a clear day for optimal shots, early sunlight and active animals can always offer the best photo opportunities.

How to Visit Chongqing Zoo

Best Time to Visit Chongqing Zoo

Chongqing Zoo is open all year round, and you can visit there anytime you want. Just note that Chongqing experiences a humid subtropical monsoon climate with early spring, hot summer, cool autumn, and warm winter. Hence, the best time to visit there is during spring, autumn, and winter when the weather is mild. Besides, if you want to see panda activities, visit the zoo in the morning from 8:30 – 9:00.

Read more about Chongqing weather

Tips for Visiting Chongqing Zoo

1. There is a Visit Center of Chongqing Zooat the East 2^nd Gate that provides luggage storage services, and you can store your luggage there, with CNY 15 for small luggage, CNY 20 for medium-sized luggage, and CNY 35 for big one.
2. Wear comfortable shoes, as it is a large zoo with a long way to go. Particularly, high-heeled shoes are not recommended.
3. Don’t feed the animals in Chongqing Zoo or make noise to frighten the animals.

How to Get to Chongqing Zoo

By Rail Transit: Take Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 to Chongqing Zoo Station and exit through exit 1, then you will be at the East 2nd Gate of the zoo.

By Bus: If you are traveling from the Chongqing Liberation Monument, take the sightseeing bus line T032 to Chongqing Zoo directly. If you find yourself in other parts of Chongqing, you can take Bus No. 148, 204, 207, 229, 275, 310, 341, 362, 413, 416, 419, 1200 or 1265 to the zoo.

FAQs about Chongqing Zoo

Are food and beverage options available inside the zoo?

Yes. There are a total of three Chinese restaurants inside the zoo, providing quick meals and drinks. You can find it near Tiger House, Elephant Area and Bird Area, respectively. Besides, there are many food stalls scattered throughout the park, selling some local snacks.

What facilities (restrooms, nursing rooms, rental services) are available?

The restrooms and nursing rooms are densely distributed inside the zoo. If you want to rent the stroller or electric scooter, it can be found at the East Gate 1 and East Gate 2 of the zoo. Please note that tourists can only drive the electric scooter on the major roads, so you also need to climb some steps and explore some paths by yourself. The tourist center also offers the wheelchair rental service.

Is Chongqing Zoo accessible to wheelchair users and seniors?

The zoo is equipped with wheelchair-accessible channels and toilets in major areas. And the main roads are flat and wide with densely distributed chairs. So both wheelchair users and seniors can enjoy a tour smoothly.

Does the zoo offer educational programs or events?

Of course. There is a dedicated education center in the zoo, which carries out regular education through various means such as specimens, display boards and multimedia. It also holds characteristic activities themed by festivals, seasons and animal’s birthdays from time to time. These special interactive activities are highly entertaining. In important animal houses, there are also free explanations and knowledge manuals on weekends and holidays.

What is the best time of day to see the animals active?

Around 09:00 and 15:00 are the two periods the animals are most active, when they usually eat food and play.

Plan Your Chongqing Tour with China Xian Tour

In this 8D magical city, transportation is always the first challenge during the tour. It is difficult to find the correct way to destinations. For first-timers, joining a tour group will save much time and effort. China Xian Tour can assign a driver for you so that you can leave more time for sightseeing instead of finding the way. Also, we are experienced in tailoring a trip based on tourists’ needs. So you will enjoy a satisfying trip if travel with us. So contact us right now.