Chongqing Zoo

　　Chongqing Zoo, situated in the western suburbs of Chongqing, was founded in 1955 and spans 45 hectares. As one of the large-scale zoos in China, the park features undulating hills and pristine, picturesque natural scenery. It regularly exhibits over 230 species and more than 4,000 animals (including heads). The zoo receives nearly 2 million visitors annually from both China and abroad, including around 100,000 international guests, making it one of the major urban zoos in the country.

　　The administrative body of Chongqing Zoo is the Chongqing Zoo Management Office, which is under the jurisdiction of the Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Gardens and Forestry. It operates under a three-tier management system with the zoo director bearing executive responsibility. Chongqing Zoo is an executive director unit of the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens, the deputy leader unit of the association's Southwest Collaborative Zone, a National Science Education Base, as well as a national breeding base for giant pandas, South China tigers, and red pandas. It maintains close ties with zoos in countries such as the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia. In 1995, it was invited to join the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and the World Zoo Organization (WZO). With the support of the Chongqing Municipal Government and the Municipal Bureau of Gardens and Forestry, the zoo has achieved significant development. The terrain within the zoo consists of rolling hills, winding shallow valleys, lush green mountains, clear waters, and serene lakes with manicured shores, offering refreshing and beautiful natural scenery. The site is abundant with ancient and famous trees, and a rich diversity of plant species, achieving a green space rate of 71% and a greening coverage rate of 85%. There are over 20 animal exhibition areas, housing more than 150 species and over 1,200 animals, including rare species such as giant pandas, red pandas, golden snub-nosed monkeys, white-headed langurs, takins, wildebeests, and cassowaries. The zoo also features an artificial lake connected by small islands, curved bridges, and scenic pavilions, with a wide variety of birds and fish living in the water. The park includes amenities such as a children’s playground, roller-skating rink, open-air stage, reading room, restaurants, and tea houses.

　　Historical Development

　　Chongqing Zoo was first established in 1953 and officially opened to the public on January 24, 1955, initially exhibiting 11 species and 60 animals.

　　The Park’s Predecessor

　　The predecessor of Chongqing Zoo was West District Park. In August 1953, the former Chongqing Municipal Construction Bureau formed a preparatory group for the park. In September of the same year, Professors Liang Baiyun from the Southwest People's Science Museum and Li Chaoran from the Southwest Agricultural College were invited to provide guidance on site selection, surveying, and planning. On January 7, 1954, 10 hectares of land centered around Taohua Stream were acquired to establish "Yangjiaping Park." Construction began in March of the same year and was completed by the end of December, and the park was named "West District Park." It officially opened on January 24, 1955.

　　Centered around Taohua Stream, 10 hectares of land were acquired to prepare for the construction of "Yangjiaping Park." Construction started in March of the same year and was completed by the end of December. It was then named "West District Park" and officially opened on January 24, 1955.

　　Official Establishment

　　On March 28, 1958, after inspecting the Chongqing Iron and Steel Company, Chairman Mao Zedong visited West District Park. He instructed: “This park should be well developed—it should serve the steel workers and the people of Chongqing.” Subsequently, the former Chongqing Municipal People's Committee decided to expand West District Park into a zoo. The first phase of expansion increased the area to 22.3 hectares, and the second phase in 1959 expanded it to 44.5 hectares. After some land was borrowed or returned according to policy by the end of 1961, the area was 41 hectares, which was later expanded to the current 48 hectares. In October 1960, it was renamed "Chongqing Zoo." Through comprehensive planning, the construction of large animal enclosures, the addition of animal species, landscape adjustments, and service facility improvements, by 1966 it had grown into a medium-sized zoo with initial scale.

　　Reform and Development

　　After the reform and opening-up, Chongqing Zoo actively sought diverse business models in line with reform requirements and its own characteristics, achieving comprehensive development. In 1979, through exhibitions of animals abroad and the development of cultural and recreational activities, the zoo saw substantial growth in operating income, with visitor attendance reaching a record high of 2.371 million, the highest in its history since establishment. Simplified diagram of various departments at Chongqing Zoo

　　In 1985, based on actual conditions, Chongqing Zoo fully implemented the Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Gardens and Forestry’s directive “On Fully Implementing the Economic Contract Responsibility System in Landscaping Institutions” and the spirit of the 1984 December National Directors of Gardens and Forestry Symposium, emphasizing “focusing on one core business while developing multiple operations.” During the reform process centered on the position responsibility system, the zoo adopted the approach of “focusing on the core business while developing auxiliary operations to support the core,” along with the “Four Guarantees” (i.e., leadership focus on the main business, staffing to meet core needs, financial priority to the main business, and material support for the main operations) and the “Four Implementations” (tasks, management systems, technology, and distribution), ensuring the smooth progress of reforms. That year, the zoo welcomed 2.12 million visitors, and employee benefits were significantly improved. The landscape and facilities of the garden underwent noticeable changes, yielding positive economic, environmental, and social outcomes. In the same year, the Chongqing Municipal Committee designated Chongqing Zoo as a county-level institution. After 1997, with the rapid development brought by Chongqing’s status as a municipality directly under the central government, Chongqing Zoo achieved high-speed growth across all areas. In response to the growing cultural needs of residents, the zoo set wildlife translocation conservation as its goal. Led by scientific research and technological advancement in zoology, the zoo focused on expanding animal species, improving animal habitats, and strengthening animal breeding and protection. It constructed eco-friendly animal enclosures, created classic garden landscapes, enriched the park’s tourism and cultural content, expanded external development space, and maintained a stable upward trend in all aspects, gradually advancing toward becoming a top-tier zoo in the nation.