Guangzhou Zoo

About Guangzhou Zoo: Opening Hours, Where & More

Ever been to Guangzhou Zoo? It's this huge park in Yuexiu that's been here since 1958. The place is quite big - 42 hectares of animals and gardens! You'll find over 5,000 animals here, including some really cool South China tigers and these huge Asian elephants that love playing in their pools. The whole zoo is super green with lots of shady paths between all the animal areas.

Guangzhou Zoo Ticket Price

How to Get to Guangzhou Zoo

Guangzhou Zoo Address: No. 120, Xianlie Middle Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou

By Metro (Easiest Way)

Line 5 is your best way to go - hop off at Guangzhou Zoo Station (Exit A). You'll literally see the zoo entrance when you come up! Takes about 25 mins from Tianhe District or 15 mins from Beijing Road. Metro runs from 6:30am to 11:30pm, and tickets are just 2-4 yuan.

By Bus

Look for the "Guangzhou Zoo" stop (广州动物园站). Most buses run every 10-15 mins and cost 2 yuan. The 194 is pretty handy if you're coming from Shangxiajiu area.

• North Gate: Buses 6, 16, 65, 78, 85, 112, 192, 199, 201, 219, 236, 246, 290, 535, 547, 833, 862b, 862, and University Town Line 4
• Zoo Bus Terminal: 72, 74, 84, 127, 220, 482, 706, Peak Express 8 & 79

By Taxi/Didi

Just show your driver: 广州动物园，先烈中路120号. Didi works great here too!

From Baiyun Airport, it's about 45 mins (120-150 yuan).

From East Railway Station: around 25 mins (60-70 yuan).

Driving

The zoo has its own parking lot (first 2 hours free, then 5 yuan/hour), but spaces fill up super fast on weekends. There's also the Huanghua Gang parking lot nearby as backup.

Guangzhou Zoo Map & Routes

Source from Zoo Institutes

1. Start your day at the South Gate (Metro Exit B) and head straight to the Giant Panda House in the Central Area - pandas are most active during their morning feed! From there, follow the path to Tigers Hill and Lions Hill while these big cats are still energetic.
2. Next up is the Bird's Paradise - perfect timing to catch the morning pelican feeding show at 10:20am. The path naturally leads you to Ocean World (great for midday when it's hot!) where you can cool off watching sharks and sea lions.
3. Save the Primate Paradise for later - the orangutans and golden monkeys are super active in the afternoon. End your loop at the African Animals area where you might catch the hippos' afternoon feeding.

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Guangzhou Zoo Animals in Each Area

Central Area & Asian Giants

This is where you'll find the stars of the show - the giant pandas (best time to see them is 8:30-9:30am when they're having breakfast!). The South China tigers have this amazing spot on Tiger Hill, and you can watch the Asian elephants splash around in their pools. Keep an eye out for the red pandas in the trees - they're super active during morning feeds.

Ocean Aquarium

Ocean World is another must-visit spot. The 18-meter tropical reef tank is incredible with its colorful coral fish, clownfish, and sea anemones, and walking through the undersea tunnel with blacktip reef sharks and zebra sharks swimming overhead is such a cool experience. They've got regular sea lion shows too, and the kids love the touch pools where you can see starfish and hermit crabs up close (don't worry - all supervised by staff!). Keep an eye out for the spotted seals, sea turtles, and the impressive moray eels in their special tanks.

Primate Paradise

The orangutans are the real celebrities here in their huge 3,000m² home - there's this awesome viewing deck where you can watch them swing around. You'll also spot golden monkeys doing acrobatics and chimpanzees hanging out with their families. The gibbons are especially fun to watch in the morning when they're super playful.

African Animals Area

This section feels like a mini safari - giraffes stretching up to the feeding platforms, zebras grazing together, and both African and white lions lounging on their hill (did you know they eat over 6kg of meat every day?). The hippos are hilarious during their feeding times!

Bird's Paradise

The 8,000m² bird area is really cool - instead of regular cages, they've got these natural spaces with streams and rocks. You can spot black-necked cranes, black swans, and if you time it right, catch the pelican feeding shows at 10:30am or 3:30pm.

Remember: While we can't feed the animals ourselves (zoo rules!), watching the keeper feedings is actually super interesting - you get to learn all about what they eat and their habits. Just check the schedule board at the entrance for all the feeding times!

Things to Do at Guangzhou Zoo: Attractions & Shows

Animal Shows & Feeding Times

Start your day watching the pandas munch breakfast (best time is 8:30-9:30am) - they're actually awake and pretty entertaining! The elephant shower time is indeed a popular event around 2pm, and the penguin feeding is typically part of the feeding schedule, though it's best to confirm exact times upon arrival. Pro tip: grab the daily schedule at the entrance for all the keeper talks and feeding times. Feeding times can vary by day, so always check the schedule.

Perfect Photo Spots

Swan Lake is indeed Instagram heaven - that classic stone bridge reflection shot is a must. The Chinese gardens near the bird area are stunning year-round, especially during cherry blossom season (early spring). For something unique, head to the elevated platforms near the giraffes for cool skyline-meets-wildlife shots.

Picnic & Chill Spots

The zoo does have massive lawns that are perfect for a picnic break. The area by Swan Lake is indeed a favorite for its nice breeze, great views, and plenty of shade trees. There's another sweet spot near the fountain plaza where you can spread out a blanket and watch the world go by.

Garden Walks

Beyond the animals, there are some gorgeous walking paths through different gardens. The bamboo grove is super peaceful, and in fall, the maple tree path turns an amazing red color. The Chinese garden section has these beautiful winding paths with traditional pavilions - perfect when you need a quiet moment.

Kid-Friendly Fun

The Children's Zoo section lets kids get up close with some friendly animals (no feeding though!). There's a cool educational center with interactive displays about wildlife. When the little ones need a break, there are several playgrounds scattered around. The shuttle bus (30 yuan) is available for tired legs, especially on hot days or if you need to move between large areas.

Best Time to Visit Guangzhou Zoo

Best Seasons

Spring (March-April) and Fall (October-November) are perfect - temps hover around 20-25°C and the animals are super active. Plus, spring brings gorgeous blooms to the gardens!

Avoid summer (June-August) when Guangzhou gets crazy hot and humid - most animals hide in the shade then. BRING MOSQUITO REPELLENT when it's warm or rainy! Guangzhou's mosquitoes are crazy, especially near the water areas.

Best Hours

Early bird gets the best views! Hit the zoo right when it opens at 8:30am - animals are most active during their breakfast time, especially the tigers and monkeys.

Avoid 12-2pm when most animals take their afternoon nap (and it's usually hottest). The zoo closes at 5:30pm (last entry 4:30pm).

Best Days

• Weekdays are way less crowded than weekends
• Tuesday to Thursday are usually quietest
• Super crowded on public holidays (especially Chinese New Year and October Golden Week)