Beijing Zoo

Beijing Zoo Opening Hours

Beijing Zoo is open almost year-round, Plan your visit to enjoy the animals at their most active times!

• From April 1 to October 31, hours are 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM, with last admission at 6:00 PM.
• From November 1 to March 31, it’s 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, with last admission at 5:00 PM.

Beijing Zoo Ticket Price Guide

Beijing Zoo has many ticket options—including seasonal rates and combo packages on Trip.com.

Please note that prices may change with the season; check Trip.com for the most up-to-date information.

Beijing Zoo Map & Layout

Credit: zoo institutes

The zoo is divided into three sections:

• East Area: This is where you’ll find the main entrance and some of the most popular exhibits, like the Giant Panda House. It’s the perfect place to start your adventure.
• South Area: Here, you’ll discover animals like the Siberian Tigers and Red-Crowned Cranes. It’s a quieter spot, great for taking your time and enjoying the scenery.
• North Area: Don’t miss the Aquarium here—it’s a whole other world with sharks, manatees, and colorful fish.

✅Grab your China eSIM now for instant, unlimited data at the best price I've found!

Beijing Zoo Animals: Pandas, Polar Bears & More

Credit: Pexel

Giant Pandas

You can’t visit Beijing Zoo without seeing the giant pandas—they’re the stars here! These cuddly-looking bears munch on bamboo all day and are a joy to watch, especially the playful cubs. The panda house is designed to feel like their natural home, so you’ll see them climbing, rolling around, and just being their adorable selves.

Credit: Pexel

Polar Bears

Head over to the polar bear exhibit for a taste of the Arctic. These massive bears are incredible swimmers, and you’ll often catch them diving into their pool or lounging on the rocks. It’s a cool (literally!) spot to see these powerful animals up close.

Siberian Tigers

Meet the kings of the jungle—Siberian tigers! These rare and endangered big cats are a sight to behold with their striking orange coats and powerful presence. Their enclosure gives them pretty much space to roam, so you might see them stalking around or just chilling in the sun.

Credit: Unsplash

Red Pandas

If you love cute, don’t miss the red pandas! These little guys are like fluffy raccoons with a love for climbing. Their exhibit is full of trees and platforms, so you’ll often spot them lounging in the branches or munching.

Credit: Unsplash

Chimpanzees

From Africa to Beijing, the chimpanzees are a hit with visitors. Known for their intelligence and social behavior, these primates are always entertaining. Watch them interact, play, and even solve puzzles in their thoughtfully designed enclosure.

Credit: Unsplash

Red-Crowned Cranes

A symbol of longevity in Chinese culture, the red-crowned crane is a graceful and elegant bird. Beijing Zoo’s aviary provides a peaceful setting to observe these rare and beautiful creatures as they strut and soar.

How to Get to Beijing Zoo

By Metro

Hop on Line 4—the zoo has its own station called Beijing Zoo Station (Exit A or B). It’s a 2-minute walk to the main gate. If you’re coming from the Summer Palace or the Forbidden City, transfer to Line 4 via Xiyuan or Xizhimen stations.

By Bus

Buses are super convenient if you’re exploring nearby spots like the Temple of Heaven or Houhai Lake. Look for routes 7, 15, 19, 27, or 102—all stop right outside the zoo. Keep small change handy (¥2–¥5 per ride).

By Car/Taxi

Driving? Head to Xicheng District and follow signs for the zoo. Parking is available, but spaces fill up fast on weekends—arrive before 9 AM! Taxis are easy to flag down, but avoid rush hours (7–9 AM and 5–7 PM) unless you love Beijing’s infamous traffic jams.

Pro Tip: Grab a Beijing Transportation Card (sold at metro stations) for easy transfers between buses and subways.

What to Do at Beijing Zoo

Credit: Unsplash

Meet the Animals

From giant pandas and red pandas to Siberian tigers, polar bears, and red-crowned cranes, Beijing Zoo is packed with incredible wildlife. Don’t miss the aquarium, home to sharks, manatees, and colorful fish. Each animal is housed in spacious, natural habitats, making it a joy to watch them up close.

Credit: Unsplash

Explore the Aquarium

Head to the north area for the aquarium, a place with everything from colorful fish to graceful manatees. The shark tank is a must-see—it’s both thrilling and mesmerizing to watch these ocean predators glide by.

Credit: Unsplash

Stroll or Picknic in the Gardens

Take a break from the animals and enjoy the zoo’s beautiful gardens. In spring, the flowers are in full bloom, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing walk or a family picnic.

Credit: Unsplash

Learn at the Exhibits

The zoo has plenty of educational displays about the animals and their habitats. It’s a great way to learn more about conservation and the importance of protecting wildlife.

Credit: Unsplash

Grab a Bite

Feeling hungry? The zoo has several snack stands and restaurants where you can grab a quick bite or sit down for a meal. Try some local snacks or enjoy a cold drink to recharge.

Best Time to Go to Beijing Zoo

Best Season to Go

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are the perfect times to visit Beijing Zoo. The weather is mild, the animals are active, and the crowds are manageable. Plus, the zoo’s gardens are in full bloom in spring, and you can see pretty foliage in autumn.

Best Time of Day

Mornings are golden! Aim to arrive right when the zoo opens at 7:30 AM. The animals are most active after breakfast, and you’ll beat the midday crowds. Plus, the pandas are usually up and about early—perfect for those adorable photos!

Peak Times

Weekends and public holidays can get packed, so if you can, go on a weekday. Summer (July-August) is hot and humid, and while the zoo is still fun, the animals might be a bit lazier in the heat.

Beijing Zoo Conservation Efforts

Credit: Unsplash

Beyond being a fun day out, the Beijing Zoo plays a huge role in protecting wildlife. Here’s how they’re making a difference:

Saving Giant Pandas

The zoo’s star residents aren’t just cute—they’re part of a global effort to boost panda populations. Their breeding program has welcomed over 10 cubs in the last decade! Visit the Panda House to learn about their diet (spoiler: it’s 99% bamboo) and how keepers mimic wild habitats.

Rescuing Rare Species

Ever heard of the Père David’s Deer? Once extinct in China, these deer were reintroduced thanks to partnerships between the zoo and global conservation groups. You’ll also find endangered golden monkeys and snow leopards thriving here.

Education Over Entertainment

The zoo ditches circus-style shows for interactive workshops (think: “Keeper for a Day” programs). Kids love the eco-tours that explain why polar bears need icy habitats or how recycling helps protect their homes.

Fun Fact: Your ticket fees help fund these projects! So yeah, you’re basically a wildlife hero just by visiting.

Other Top Attractions in Beijing

While you're in Beijing, there's so much more to explore.

The Forbidden City (Palace Museum)

You can't come to Beijing without seeing this! It's this incredible imperial palace that'll blow your mind - seriously, it's HUGE. Opens 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (heads up: closed Mondays). Here's a tip I learned the hard way: book tickets online and go early morning. The crowds get crazy after 10 AM, and trust me, you want time to explore those hidden courtyards and peek into all the royal rooms. The stories behind each building are fascinating - like the Emperor's private quarters and where all the drama went down!

Universal Beijing Resort

This is actually super close to Pop Land! It's open 10 AM to 10 PM daily, and it's the newest Universal park in the world. The Harry Potter area is absolutely magical at night (butterbeer, anyone?), and they've got this amazing Kung Fu Panda land that you won't find at any other Universal park. The Transformers ride here is next level too!

Badaling Great Wall

This section of the Wall is perfect if you're short on time. Opens early (around 6:30/7:30 AM depending on season) and honestly, morning visits are the best - fewer people and great lighting for photos. I usually take the cable car up (saves energy for walking the wall itself), and the views are just incredible. In autumn, the mountains are covered in red and gold leaves - totally worth timing your visit for that!