Beijing Zoo, situated to the west of Beijing Exhibition Center has been known for a short time after the founding of the PRC, as on the western edge of the park (Xijiao Gong Yuan). Reasons to combine cultural flower with parts of nature, including dense clusters of trees, areas of pasture, small stream, Lotus pools and small hills dotted with pavilions and halls.
In the 18 th Century, the Beijing zoo gardens Sanbeizi known, allegedly after the third son of Emperor Kangxi, Prince Cheng Yin said. Another explanation is that Sanbeizi refereed Kang Fu Qing court and the gardens side of his mansion. In fact, already been built in the Ming Dynasty, named an imperial villa in the garden of happiness and friendship, Prince Kang stood here, and during the Qing, called Garden Centres Sanbeizi Continuity (Jiyuan) were private property of officials in the office of Palace Affairs.
In 1906 during the reign of Emperor Guangxu, the park agricultural experimental farm and the zoo. Known as the Garden of Ten Thousand Animals (Wanshengyuan), opened to the public in 1908.
In the successive rule of the Northern warlords, the Japanese and the Kuomintang, the park was deserted more and more. Only the elephant died in 1937, and the Japanese, under the pretext of protection against air attack is poisoned, the other lions, tigers and leopards. On the eve of the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949, the park is located only 12 monkeys, parrots, and two blind emu. The park was opened to the public in 1950 and 10 April 1955 the official name of the Beijing Zoo.
Open Hours
Apr. 1 – Oct. 31 (peak season)
Zoo: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Aquarium: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Nov. 1 – Mar. 31 (off season)
Zoo: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Aquarium: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Zoo Prices
Apr. 1 – Oct. 31
Combined ticket (Zoo and Panda Hall): 20 RMB
Admission ticket (Zoo): 15 RMB
Free for kids under 47 inches (1.2 meters)
Nov. 1 – Mar. 31
Combined ticket (Zoo and Panda Hall): 15 RMB
Admission ticket (Zoo): 10 RMB
Free for kids under 47 inches (1.2 meters)
Beijing Aquarium Prices, click here.
Directions to Beijing Zoo and Aquarium
By Subway
Take Subway line 4 to Beijing Zoo Station. Exit A (northwest exit); Visitors can see the zoo when exiting the station.
By Bus
For Dong Wu Yuan (Zoo) Bus Station - Take bus 27, 45, 105, 107, 111, 206, 209, 319, 334, 347, 360, 362, 534, 632, 634, 697, 714, 808, 814, 特4, Yuntong 104, Yuntong 105, Yuntong 106 or Yuntong 205.
Tips
1. Zoo address: 137 Xizhimen Wai Dajie in Xicheng District. Address in Chinese: 北京动物园 地址：西直门外大街137号. Phone Number - (010) 6831-5131/(010) 6839-02742.
2. Visit the zoo on mild to cool days in the morning to see the animals at their most active. Visiting the zoo in the afternoon on hot or cold day’s visitors may only see a few animals while the rest are sleeping or hiding.
3. Time needed for visiting the zoo: approximately 2.5 – 3 hours
4. If possible, do not travel here on the main Chinese holidays as it will be extremely crowded. These holidays are: Chinese New Year (around end of Jan. to early Feb.), Labor Day (May 1), and National Day (first week of Oct).
Beijing zoo has developed rapidly and by 1987 it covered the field of 40.000 square meters. Bears, elephants, pandas, lions, tigers, birds, hippos, rhinos, antelopes and giraffes were brought in late 1950, and the gorilla cage, leaf-monkey cage and aquarium house was open, with samples from more than 100 species of reptiles with around the world, including crocodiles and pythons.
Currently, Beijing zoo houses over 7000 animals 600 different species, including the giant panda, crowned crane and Pere David’s deer all unique to China and African giraffes, rhinos, antelopes, and chimpanzees, the American continent, wild ox from Europe and the Elephant and Gibbon from India.
History
The zoo was found during the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1906. It was originally called Wanshouyuan (Garden of 10,000 Beasts). Empress Dowager Cixi and the Emperor Guangxu each visited the zoo two times.
After 1949, when the New China was founded, the Beijing Zoo became known as the Beijing Agricultural Experimentation Site, Peking State Museum and West Suburb Park. The zoo was rebuilt after being damaged during the Sino-Japanese War.
In 1952, leaders Chairman Mao Zedong, Zhe De, and Ren Bishi gave their war horses to the zoo. In 1955, the park was renamed to Beijing Zoo.
In 1984, during the Summer Olympics, the zoo sent two Giant Pandas named Yingxin and Yong Yong to Los Angeles for display. They were again on display in the Bronx Zoo in 1987.
Beijing Aquarium
The Beijing Aquarium was opened in March, 1999 and has attracted about 1.5 million visitors per year.
The Aquarium is located on the north bank of the Changhe River. This magnificent structure is shaped like a big conch perched on a beach surrounded by green trees and beautiful flowers. It covers 120,000 square meters. With seven exhibition halls inside, the Beijing Aquarium is a must see when visiting the Zoo.
Beijing Panda Zoo
One of the most popular palace in the Beijing Zoo is the Beijing Panda house. Beijing Panda house built in 1989 and covering an area of 10,000 square meters (2.5 acres), it delivers an impressive scene aesthetic, while still managing to take into account the practical considerations make such housing large animals and physically. The interior of the room takes the traditional Chinese garden style and is in the pattern of a chart of Tai Chi fashioned.
Beijing Zoo : Opening hours from 7.30 am to 18.00 pm;
Beijing Zoo : Recommended time for visit: one hour;
Beijing Zoo Transport : Bus No.s 7, 27, 103, 105 and 111
The Giant Panda Museum is located at the base, and it is the world’s only museum that focuses entirely on the critically endangered giant panda. The museum’s collection includes displays of panda habitat and of pictures of pandas, and there are many scientific displays that give visitors a comprehensive education on their characteristics, habitat and distribution in the wild, and China’s conservation and breeding efforts. The museum also exhibits books and scientific literature that authors around the world have written about giant pandas throughout history.
The Giant Panda Museum houses giant panda specimens, fossils and dissected pandas. Specimens of panda food is displayed, and the museum also houses many large true-to-life exhibits of giant pandas in their natural environment in ancient times and in their present endangered wild habitats in Qin Ling, Liangshan Mountain, Xiang Ling, Min Shan and Qiulai Mountain. These true-to-life exhibits cover an area of about 300 square meters. The museum educates visitors on their evolutionary history, their ancient and present distribution in the wild, and their current situation as an endangered species, as well as on the present purpose and focus of scientific research. Visitors will see that the Chinese government is making a concerted effort both to protect this endangered animal and its habitat and to promote public awareness and appreciation of this animal that is beloved by people all over the world.
The best time to visit is in the morning, during feeding time between 8:30 and 10:00. After then, it's likely that the bears will be indulging in their favorite pastime. Sleeping!
The giant panda is known as "national treasure" (国宝) in China. Covering with the black and white fur on the round body, the giant panda is cute and lovely. The smoky eye is the beautiful characteristic of giant panda. How can you miss the giant panda in China?
With continuous development over the past century, Beijing Zoo has become one of the largest zoos in China. Visitors can see various wild and rare animals freely, and enjoy an educational experience second to none.