Chongqing Zoo

Planning Your Visit

Tickets and Opening Hours

• Standard hours checked in August 2026: 08:00-18:00, with last admission at 16:30. Holiday crowd-control notices can bring an earlier opening or reservation cap.
• Adult admission is ¥25 from January-November and ¥20 in December. Ages 6-18, full-time undergraduate students and eligible visitors aged 60-64 generally pay half price with valid ID; children aged 6 or under or no taller than 1.2 m and visitors aged 65 or above generally enter free. Confirm which passport or student document is accepted before paying.
• A valid zoo ticket does not guarantee that a particular animal or indoor house will be visible.

Check the current Chongqing Zoo product on Trip.com, then confirm the exact date, admission document and live enclosure notices with the zoo before paying.

Best Time to Visit

Visit on a weekday and enter around 08:00-08:30. Recent summer visitors report that the panda area begins admitting visitors around 08:30, making the first morning circuit the best practical strategy; 09:00-11:00 remains a useful viewing window, but weather, care routines and animal welfare can change what is visible.

What to Bring

• Water bottle (refill stations available)
• Light snacks (do not feed animals)
• Tissues
• Power bank
• Sun hat or umbrella (weather dependent)

Getting There

Public Transportation

• Metro: Take Line 2 to Zoo Station, Exit 1, then follow signs to the east entrance
• Bus: Routes 204, 223, 224, and 441 stop at the zoo
• Driving: Parking available but can be crowded during holidays

Zoo Layout and Highlights

The zoo features various themed areas including herbivore zones, carnivore sections, primate areas, waterfowl lake, and the giant panda house. The terrain is hilly with abundant vegetation, creating natural habitats for the animals and a pleasant environment for visitors.

Must-See Animals

Giant Pandas

The giant panda house is the zoo's main attraction, home to pandas including "Chong Chong" and "Qing Qing." Best viewing time is 9:00-11:00 when they're most active. The pandas are particularly playful during feeding times, often seen eating bamboo, climbing trees, or playing.

Red Pandas

Located next to the giant panda house, red pandas are most active during early morning and evening. Viewing platforms provide excellent vantage points to observe these agile creatures.

Primates

The primate section features gibbons, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys. Watch for interesting social behaviors and interactions among these intelligent animals.

Recommended Routes

Half-Day Visit

Start at the giant panda house, followed by red pandas, primates, carnivores, herbivores, and end at the waterfowl lake.

Full-Day Visit

Begin early at the panda house, then explore the primate area, carnivore zone, and herbivore section. After lunch, visit the waterfowl lake and education center.

Dining and Rest Areas

Multiple restaurants and snack stands offer local specialties including Chongqing noodles, spicy vermicelli, and ice cream. Rest areas with benches and pavilions are scattered throughout the zoo, with a particularly pleasant spot near the waterfowl lake.

Important Notes

• Do not feed or touch the animals
• Maintain safe distances, especially in carnivore and primate areas
• No flash photography
• Keep the zoo clean and respect facilities
• Watch children closely

Beyond the Zoo

After your visit, consider taking Metro Line 2 to explore other attractions: Zoo → Geling Park → Geling Second Factory → Liziba → Jiefangbei → Hongyadong (especially beautiful at night)