Zoological sights in China
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Aquarium
If the popular Zhongshan Park is too rocking with senior citizens disco dancing, then head northeast to the more derelict part of town and the northern waterfront where you will find little Haibin Park (Hǎibīn Gōngyuán). Inside the park is an expensive aquarium . Two buildings house seven spacious exhibition halls filled with tanks of strange and colourful fish. Most of the exhibits feature local marine life from the Gulf of Tonkin (Běibùwán).
reviewed
-
B
Hong Kong Zoological & Botanical Gardens
This is a pleasant and surprisingly expansive collection of fountains, sculptures and greenhouses, plus a playground, zoo and some fabulous aviaries. Along with exotic trees, plants and shrubs, some 160 species of bird reside here. The zoo is surprisingly comprehensive, with more than 70 mammals and 40 reptiles, and is also one of the world’s leading centres for the captive breeding of endangered species (there are 16 different species of endangered animal being bred here). Albany Rd divides the gardens, with the plants and aviaries in the area to the east, close to Garden Rd, and most of the animals to the west. The animal displays are mostly primates (lemurs, gibbons, m…
reviewed
-
C
Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
Education meets entertainment in this slick and intelligently designed aquarium that children will love. Join them on a tour through the aquatic environments from the Yangzi River to Australia, South America, the frigid ecosystems of the Antarctic and to the flourishing marine life of coral reefs. The 155m-long underwater clear viewing tunnel has gobsmacking views.
reviewed
-
D
Changfeng Ocean World
Adults may find this subterranean aquarium dank, dingy and dear, but the little people will adore the clownfish and shark tunnel. Children under 1m get in for free.
reviewed
-
E
Shanghai Zoo
As Chinese zoos go, this is just about the best there is, and it makes for a good day out for those who have kids in tow. There’s a decent selection of beasts – from woolly twin-humped Bactrian camels to spindly legged giraffes, gorillas, lions, lots of different monkeys, giant pandas and polar bears – but some of the enclosures they’re housed in are less than ideal. The Shànghǎi folk flock here to enjoy one of the city’s most picturesque and well-tended acreages of green grass. Picnic-goers dive onto the lawns for a spot of sun, while electric tour buggies (tour Y10; 8.30am-4.30pm) whirr along shaded paths through old-growth woods every 10 to 15 minutes. Ther…
reviewed
-
F
Kunming Zoo
Kunming Zoo is worh it for the veiwes, if not the animals. Although the living conditions of the 750 animals are better than at most Chinese zoos (not saying much), most travellers give it a miss. High up on a spiral-shaped hill, you can strike out into the verdant grounds, which offer commanding views over the city.
If you do want a gander at regional fauna, residing here are such Yúnnán rarities as Xīshuāngbǎnnà wild oxen, lesser (red) pandas, leaf monkeys and black-tail pythons; from greater China you'll get the obligatory pandas, tigers, Yangzi alligators, golden monkeys and others. The main entrance is at the corner of Yuantong Jie and Qingnian Lu.
reviewed
