Visiting Chongqing Zoo: Tickets, Panda Tips & Visitors Guide
Established way back in 1953, Chongqing Zoo isn’t just the biggest urban zoo in the city—it’s a massive hub for wildlife conservation, education, research, and, of course, tons of fun! Plan 2 – 3 hours for this place.
As a certified National 4A-level Tourist Attraction and National Key Park, the zoo has everything you need for a perfect day out. From fascinating animal fun facts and interactive educational exhibits to great spots to grab a bite to eat, they’ve got you covered.
The best part? It is incredibly budget-friendly! For a very affordable ticket, you get to meet a massive family of over 4,000 animals from more than 230 different species, spanning mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
Operating Hours
Open Today until 4:30 PM
Operating Hours
| Monday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
Information is provided for reference only. Do not solely rely on this.
Last admission at 4:30 p.m.
Tickets
1-Day Pass
| Adult (18+) | ¥25 |
| Child (6-18) | ¥12.5 |
| Student | ¥12.5 |
| Senior (60-65) | ¥12.5 |
1-Month Pass
¥50
Annual Pass
¥100
Tickets can be purchased at the east gate 2 (to the right of the park entrance).
Getting to Chongqing Zoo
Line 2
- Take Metro Line 2
- Get off at Zoo Station
- Take exit 1
- Follow the directions on the signage
Driving
Navigate to Chongqing Zoo.
Parking
There are several parking lots around the zoo. However, spots fill up fast—especially on weekends and holidays—so you might need to drive around a bit to find an open space.
Where to park:
- Automated Parking Garage: Located right next to East Gate 2.
- SCPG Inreach Mall: Offers underground parking just across the street.
To skip the traffic and parking hassle (especially during holidays), we highly recommend parking further out—like at Yangjiaping or the MixC Mall in Xiejiawan—and taking Metro Line 2 straight to the zoo!
Explore Animals at Chongqing Zoo
Explore animal categories, names, descriptions and conservation status.
Navigation Inside Chongqing Zoo
Panda house
Giant panda, red panda
Herbivore area
Giraffe, Asian elephant, white rhino, hippopotamus, zebra, red kangaroo, grey kangaroo, sika deer, fallow deer, wild ass, antelope, alpaca
Carnivore zone
South China tiger, Bengal white tiger, African lion, leopard, clouded leopard, Tibetan brown bear, sun bear, wolf
Primate area
Chimpanzee, orangutan, Sichuan golden snub‑nosed monkey, macaque, black‑and‑white colobus monkey, baboon, mandrill
Cute animal area
Meerkat, raccoon, fennec fox, marmot, capybara, ring‑tailed lemur, rabbit, goat
Bird zones
Black swan, whooper swan, mandarin duck, wild duck, golden pheasant, silver pheasant, parrot, toucan, hornbill, owl, ostrich, emu, Magellanic penguin
Amphibian‑reptile hall & goldfish gallery
Crocodile, python, lizard, turtle, giant salamander, snake, frog, goldfish, koi, tropical fish
Chongqing Zoo Facilities
Restroom
Restrooms are conveniently located throughout the park, situated near key animal zones and main walking pathways.
Restaurant
Casual food stalls, snack stands, and beverage outlets are available inside the park, offering local bites like cold noodles, ice cream, and refreshing fruit teas.
Accessibility
The zoo is built on sloping, hilly terrain with numerous stairways and paved inclines. It is not wheelchair or stroller friendly when navigating between upper and lower terraces, as there are no elevators or ramps connecting these levels.
Shopping
Snack stalls and souvenir shops are available inside the park where visitors can purchase refreshments and gifts.
Main Highlights & Must-See Zones
Giant Panda House
Chongqing Zoo hosts the most giant pandas among all city zoos in China. Home to over 20 giant pandas, they are the undisputed top stars of the zoo.
The best time to see pandas are between 8:00 am to 10:00 am, and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, as pandas are most active during these windows. In the morning, it is their breakfast time. You can watch them eating bamboos, climbing trees, and playing around.
Please remember that pandas are lazy. They take long midday naps. In summer, then the temperatures are high, you have to arrive even earlier, as pandas retreat into their air-conditioned indoor quarters once it becomes hot outside and they will no longer be visible outside.
Some of the celebrity pandas include:
- Yu Ke & Yu Ai: The widly popular, adorable twin duo.
- The Four Happy Meatballs: Quadruplet pandas born on the same day, famous for fplaying and tumbling together.
The red pands are also located right next to the giant panda enclosure, these energetic climbers love walking along overhead wooden bridgeways.
Goldfish Pavilion
Built in a retro Classical Chinese garden style, this pavilion features arch bridges, stone pathways, and lotus ponds filled with hundreds of rare goldfish species. It’s a favorite spot for classic Hanfu-style photography.
Rare Animals & Predator Area
Features the rare South China Tiger (critically endangered) alongside white tigers, African lions, and bears.
Primate & Bird Paradise
Home to Golden Snub-Nosed Monkeys and a lush, green bird environment featuring flamingos, peacocks, and macaws.
Recommended Walking Route
- Start at East Gate 2 Entrance
- Giant & Red Panda House
- Goldfish Pavilion
- Tiger Mountain
- Herbivore Area
Tips For Your Visit
- Go Early (Crucial for Pandas): The best time to see giant pandas is between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM. This is when zookeepers feed them bamboo, and they are active, playing, and climbing trees. By early afternoon, most pandas sleep indoors to avoid the heat.
- Wear Walking Shoes: Chongqing Zoo is built on sloping, hilly terrain with plenty of stairways and paved inclines.
- Use East gate 1: When there is a huge cue, try enter from East Gate 1. It’s usually lesser visitors there.
- Photography Rules: Turn off camera flashes near all animal enclosures—especially around the reptiles and night-animal indoor sections.
- Snacks & Facilities: Plenty of casual food stalls inside sell local snacks (like cold noodles, ice cream, and fruit teas), but bringing your own water bottle is recommended.
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