Beijing Zoo

Introduction to Beijing Zoo
Beijing Zoo was built in 1908, with a history of 100 years. It is located to the west of Beijing City (2km west of Xizhimen subway station), next to the Beijing Exhibition Hall, has both rare Chinese animals, such as the Giant Panda and the Golden Monkey, and also a strong selection from around the world - from Polar Bears to Kangaroos and many others.

Beijing Zoo covers an area of more than 50,000 square meters and there are more than 30 large halls including the monkey hill, the panda hall, the lion and tiger hill, the elephant hall, the see beast hall, and many others. Beijing Zoo is set in a rich landscape of trees, hills and lakes, alongside a canal that flows all the way to the Summer Palace. In addition to its public education role, Beijing Zoo is also a famous center of zoological research and conservation, inclusing a number of breeding programs. Beijing Zoo now houses over 7,000 animals of 600 different species. The aquarium house (Beijing Aquarium) contains specimens of over 100 species of reptiles from all over the world, including crocodiles and pythons.

The grounds of Beijing Zoo combine cultivated flower gardens with stretches of natural scenery, including dense groves of trees, stretches of grassland, a small stream, lotus pools and small hills dotted with pavilions and halls, many built during the Qing Dynasty. Beijing Zoo combines the garden arts of the East and West and adapts to the environment of the animals living here.

Visitors usually go to Beijing Zoo to see the famous Giant Pandas, but there are many other interesting animals including the Red Panda, Sichuan golden monkey, Manchurian tigers, yaks from Tibet, enormous sea turtles, Indian elephants, and zebras and giraffes from Africa.

The site of Beijing Zoo was originally the imperial manor in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Plants were cultivated and animals were raised here during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). After the founding of the People's Republic, the site was reconstructed and was known for a while as the West Suburban Park. In 1955, the name was changed to Beijing Zoo and the range of animals was increased. Heads of state have provided some of the animals as gifts.

In addition, you can visit the many old buildings built in the Qing Dynasty inside Beijing Zoo.