Chongqing Zoo works for a panda-focused visit or a longer route through red pandas, predators and grazing animals. We recommend 24 giant pandas and several named animals; numbers, enclosures and public viewing change, so sightings are not guaranteed.
Tickets, hours and transport
- Address and hours
- 1 Xijiao First Village, Jiulongpo. For reference, 08:00–18:00 with last admission at 16:30, pandas from 08:30 and other areas generally from 09:00. Use the official daily notice.
- Admission
- Adult admission is listed at CNY 25 from January–November and CNY 20 in December, with student, senior, child and military concessions. Use the official mini-program and re-check age, identification and concession rules.
- Line 2 or off-site parking
- Use Zoo station on Line 2, Exit 1. For reference, two to three minutes to East Gate 2, the closest entrance to the pandas; turn right after entering to avoid much of the uphill walk. Official parking is limited and holiday traffic is heavy. Drivers are advised to use the Yinxianghui mall opposite or Yangjiaping MixC, then take the metro one stop or cross the road.
Two routes
- Two hours · pandas first
- East Gate 2 → go straight to the panda house, starting with Yu Ke and Yu Ai in the lower area before taking the stairs to the upper level for the Four Happiness group → red pandas → exit. This suits a short visit focused on giant pandas; actual animal locations depend on the day's enclosures.
- Three hours · fuller loop
- East Gate 2 → pandas → amphibians and reptiles → goldfish → red pandas → tigers and predators → primates → giraffes and elephants → aviary → exit. Following this loop reduces backtracking.
Animals and respectful viewing
- Giant pandas
- The zoo has housed 24 giant pandas, one of the largest collections in a Chinese city zoo. Popular residents include siblings Yu Ke and Yu Ai and the Four Happiness group Shuangshuang, Chongchong, Xixi and Qingqing, who share the same birthday. Population and relationship details can change and do not guarantee an appearance.
- Red pandas
- Look for reddish fur and a long tail near the giant-panda area. They may rest indoors in rain. Observe quietly and never tap the glass for attention.
- Elephants and giraffes
- Elephant Bobo, in his forties, lives with his daughter Xiaoxiao and has a calm, imposing presence. We also recommend watching the moment a giraffe extends its tongue to take food. Ages, relationships, names and public viewing remain subject to zoo information.
- Predators
- Include the tiger, lion and leopard areas in the longer route. Tigers may become more active after 15:00 and, with luck, you might hear a roar, but this is not a promised feeding or performance time.
Practical visiting advice
- Go early for possible activity
- We recommend 08:30–10:30 and 14:30–16:00 as feeding times when the pandas may be more active. They often sleep at midday, so a late visit may reveal only curled-up resting 'panda pancakes.' Arriving early improves the chance but cannot guarantee activity.
- Slopes and mobility
- The zoo is hilly, so wear comfortable shoes. With older travellers or children, ask whether the zoo's mobility vehicles are operating and who may use them.
- No feeding or flash
- Do not feed animals, use flash or tap enclosures. Their diets are managed by the zoo.
- Water and luggage
- Food and merchandise can be premium-priced. Eat before entry or bring permitted dry snacks and an empty bottle for free drinking-water points. Large bags can be left at the East Gate 2 visitor centre rather than carried around. Confirm outside-food rules and service availability on arrival.