Guangzhou Zoo

Guangzhou Zoo

Guangzhou Zoo is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Guangzhou Zoo is located in the eastern section of Xianlie Middle Road, bordered by the 19th Route Army Cemetery to the east, Huanshi South Road to the south, Yunhe Road to the west, and Xianlie Middle Road to the north. It has two entrances/exits — the South Gate and the North Gate — both equipped with parking lots. Up to forty bus routes serve the zoo from both gates, making transportation very convenient.

Established in 1958, the zoo spans a total area of 433,000 square meters and houses and displays hundreds of animal species from China and abroad, making it one of China’s three largest zoos. The predecessor of Guangzhou Zoo was Yonghan Park, built in 1928 by the Nationalist Government at Zhongshan 4th Road in Guangzhou, covering an area of 22,000 square meters with over 60 animal species and more than 200 animals on display. In 1950, the park was renamed People's Park by the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government (now Children's Park). In May 1955, it was officially named Guangzhou Zoo. Due to its central urban location, limited space, unsuitability for animal habitation, and lack of room for expansion, the municipal government acquired the barren Mayingang area around the 19th Route Army Cemetery in July 1956 as the new site for the zoo. On New Year’s Day 1958, the new zoo was completed and opened to the public.

Guangzhou Zoo covers an area of 43 hectares, housing and exhibiting over 400 species and nearly 5,000 animals, receiving 3.5 million visitors annually, making it one of the larger zoos in the country.

Guangzhou Zoo serves not only as a sanctuary for wild animals but also as an important base for science education and research. Since its opening, it has successfully bred over a hundred species of wildlife. Among them, rare animals such as gorillas, Asian elephants, giraffes, zebras, and white-naped cranes were bred here for the first time. Currently, chimpanzees, South China tigers, African lions, jaguars, hippos, zebras, red-crowned cranes, white-naped cranes, and black swans have established breeding populations. It is also a venue for plant displays. The zoo is home to over 200 species and more than 100,000 trees, with landscaping primarily featuring tropical tree species arranged in naturalistic clusters to create a lush, tropical-subtropical ambiance — an environment of verdant hills, shaded trees, unique style, and pleasant scenery.

The zoo features lush trees, abundant flowers, and a rich variety of plants. It is home to over 450 species and more than 4,500 individual mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish from across China and around the world. Among these, 35 species are Class I nationally protected animals, including giant pandas, golden snub-nosed monkeys, and black-necked cranes, while 32 species are Class II protected animals, such as red pandas and white-naped cranes.

The zoo is organized by animal categories into three main visiting areas: the Central Exhibition Area, the Bird Aviary, and the Panlong Garden. The Central Exhibition Area mainly displays mammals, including Lion Hill, Tiger Hill, Monkey Hill, Hippo Pool, the Panda House, the Famous Dogs Pavilion, the Elephant House, the Giraffe House, the Rhino House, the Zebra House, and the Deer Enclosure. The Bird Aviary showcases over 100 species of birds in a garden-style layout, where visitors can enjoy the chirping of small birds and the sight of peacocks displaying their feathers, offering a delightful natural experience. Panlong Garden, located in the northeast of the zoo, displays nearly 200 species of amphibians, reptiles, and fish, as well as seals and mandarin ducks.

In recent years, additional attractions such as animal training performances, the Fun Zone, and the Oceanarium have been added, creating a “garden within a garden” experience. The Fun Zone is designed specifically for visitors to interact with animals, eliminating the usual limitation of simply viewing them and bringing back a sense of childlike wonder. The Oceanarium is a blue underwater world that features a rich collection of marine fish.

After more than 40 years of development, Guangzhou Zoo has become a comprehensive tourist destination that primarily exhibits animals, complemented by amusement and dining services. In terms of layout, the northern part of Mayingang Hill houses primate enclosures such as the Gorilla House, Baboon House, and Mandrill House. The southern slope contains enclosures for medium and small-sized animals, while the southwestern slope features Bear Hill, Lion Hill, Tiger Hill, and Hippo Pool. Across the lake from Mayingang Hill, large hillside areas accommodate Monkey Hill, the Panda House, the Elephant House, the Giraffe House, the Rhino House, the Zebra House, and the Deer Enclosure.

Below Mayingang Hill lie three picturesque artificial lakes with a water surface area of 17,000 square meters, featuring five charming islets inhabited by dozens of wading and swimming bird species such as red-crowned cranes, white swans, and mandarin ducks. Due to the near-natural environment, many animals breed on the islands, and numerous wild birds also reside and nest here. Along the zoo’s periphery, several distinctive mini-gardens have been developed. Panlong Garden in the northeast displays nearly 200 species of amphibians, reptiles, and fish, with winding paths and scenic lakes offering a tranquil atmosphere. The Bird Aviary in the southwest houses over 100 bird species in a classic garden style, featuring uniquely designed enclosures and a large walk-in aviary that brings visitors close to nature. The Fun Zone in the east is tailored for children, allowing them to interact with gentle animals like goats, miniature horses, and donkeys through touching and feeding, fostering affection and appreciation for wildlife.

Since the reform and opening-up, Guangzhou Zoo has embraced innovation, broken away from the traditional single-focus model of animal exhibition and reliance on state funding, and adopted a management approach centered on animal exhibits supplemented by diversified operations. This strategy has yielded significant social, environmental, and economic benefits. Due to its outstanding achievements, the zoo has been honored multiple times as one of China’s “Top Ten Zoos” by the Ministry of Construction and the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens, and has received accolades such as “Guangdong Province Tourism Quality Competition Advanced Unit” and “Guangzhou Model Civilized Unit.”

To meet the demands of Guangzhou as an international metropolis and provide visitors with a cleaner, more beautiful place for leisure and recreation, Guangzhou Zoo is committed to a new development vision of “revitalizing the zoo through science and technology, improving quality, and reflecting benefits.” By the end of this century, the zoo aims to become a first-class facility with leading standards among its peers in animal care, landscaping, and overall appearance.

Special Notes

1. There are dining options in the zoo, such as the Lobster King Restaurant by Yanming Lake and the Ice Square Fast Food, along with several convenience stores, but the value for money is not high. It is recommended to bring your own snacks or eat outside the zoo.

2. According to visitor feedback, the zoo may be somewhat dirty and messy, though still within acceptable limits — please be aware in advance.

3. During holidays, the zoo gets very crowded, so it is advisable to avoid peak holiday periods.

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

Type: Zoo

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: About 0.5 day

Phone: 020-38377572

Official Website: http://www.gzzoo.com/

Opening Hours:

9:00-17:30

Address: No. 120, Xianlie Middle Road

Guangzhou Zoo & Guangzhou Oceanarium