Shanghai Zoo, called Shanghai Zoo, is the most important zoo in Shanghai. Located near Hongqiao Township, Changning District is under administrative jurisdiction. Shanghai Zoo was formerly referred to as “Xijiao Park”, and it still uses the zoo’s nearby not-unusual name.
The Shanghai Zoo has more than 6,000 wild animals from more than 620 rare species. Among them are giant pandas, golden monkeys, flower peacocks, South China tigers and other representative animals of China. Chinese animals are not alone; there are also international neighbors, African chimpanzees, giraffes, Australian kangaroos, and arctic penguins. With so many species, they are waiting to amaze visitors. In addition to animals, the zoo has 100,000 trees of about 600 species.
History of the shanghai zoo
In 1890, the site where the Shanghai Zoo is located today was originally converted into stables. In 1914, the stands were purchased by a consortium of merchants and turned into the Hongzhao Golf Club, one of Shanghai’s largest golf clubs, in 1916. Like many other foreign clubs, its ownership was taken over by the new government in 1953 after the Chinese Communist Party took control of Shanghai in 1949. In 1954, the original golf course was renamed “Xijiao Park” and opened to the public. In 1959 a series of animal camps were built and the park expanded.
In 1980, the park was renamed “Shanghai Zoo”.
Current Shanghai Zoo
After 1/2 a century of improvement, Shanghai Zoo has grown to be one of the first-class ecological gardens in Shanghai. The zoo breeds and exhibits over 6,000 animals, including more than 600 Chinese animals, such as giant pandas, golden-nosed monkeys, lions, South China tigers, hoopoes, black warblers, great hornbills and Bactrian camels.
Animals from other sections of the world include giraffes, chimpanzees, kangaroos, zebras, gorillas, ring-tailed lemurs, common marmosets, spider monkeys, curved-horned antelopes, African wild dogs, olive baboons, mandrills, Canada bobcats and maned wolves. The zoo continues to develop and improve animal camps to provide animals with a better environment and provide visitors with an enjoyable experience.
The original design of the golf course has been largely preserved. Almost 600 species of trees and around 100,000 trees are planted in the park. The area of green regions and lawns is a hundred rectangular meters. The zoo aims to offer the animals a setting that is environmentally beneficial; “Swan Lake” is one notable example, with its natural reedbeds and trees that provide shade for pelicans, geese, black swans, night herons, and other birds.
Shanghai Zoo provides places for entertainment and recreation, offers tourists the opportunity to learn more about various animals, and combines them with scientific and technological research to help people better understand and protect animals. Since its creation, the zoo has welcomed more than 150 million visitors.
The aim of the Shanghai Zoo
Shanghai Zoo’s goal is to allow visitors to better understand and appreciate the animals and their environment when they leave.
List of animals the Shanghai Zoo
- Panda House and Bear Pits
Panda House and Bear Pits - Swan Lake
- Aviary
- Outdoor Bird Garden
- Pheasant Corridor
- Big Cat Enclosures
- Outdoor Carnivore Islands
- Carnivore Boardwalk
- Polar Bear World
- Herbivore Paddocks
- Kangaroo Lawn
- Raptor Area
- Aquatic Mammals Boardwalk
Aquatic Mammals Boardwalk - Waterbird Houses
- Parrot House
- Hornbill and Toucan Circle
- Wader Stream
- Indoor Bird House
- Penguin Pool
- Bailing Pet World and Small Animal Area
- Monkey Houses
- Nocturnal Animal and Tamarin House
- Ape Islands and Gorilla Pavilion
- Flamingo Pond
Flamingo Pond - Indoor Reptile House
- Walk-in Reptile House
- Fresh-and Saltwater Aquarium
- Goldfish Hall and Koi Pond
- Children’s Zoo
Education Pavilion and Science
The Science and Education Museum is located on the west side of the Zoo Gate, with a total area of 2200 square meters.
Upon entering the lobby, you will be greeted by a large mosaic map on the wall showing the exact location of 61 species of animals around the world. In the center of the room, you’ll see a mockup that shows the entire people assessment process.
Squirrel Monkey Ecological Zoo
The total area of the ecological zoo is 1000 square meters. The eco zoo simulates the original real rainforest environment for squirrel monkeys.
By visiting the zoo, people can feel the harmony between people, animals and nature.
Ring-tailed Lemur Zoo
Various grasses and shrubs have been planted in the zoo for the ring-tailed lemurs to play.
Visitors can view ring-tailed lemurs from the porch above the lemur house. You can also enjoy the fun activities of lemurs through meter-high tempered glass.
Chimpanzee Ecological Zoo
The Chimpanzee Ecological Zoo was built in 1977, covering an area of 850 square meters, with six indoor exhibition halls.
It is home to animals such as gorillas, chimpanzees, gibbons and great apes. The zoo provided toys for the animals to play with, and watching them play with them was fun.
Asian Elephant Exhibition place
The exhibition place includes an outdoor playground and an elephant palace.
Elephant Palace was built in 1955 and is Shanghai Zoo’s first permanent animal museum. The total construction area is 1550 square meters, including an indoor playground, an exhibition hall and four corridors.
The outdoor playground has trees and other facilities are ready for activities such as the mud bath for the elephants.
Kids especially love the Asian elephants at Shanghai Zoo.
Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill is divided into east, central and west sections. Manchurian tigers, Bengal tigers and South China tigers are bred separately. Each section has an area of about 300 square meters and is separated from visitors by a trench at some distance.
Ticket Price: 30 yuan, unfastened for children under 1.2m
Start Opening: Nov-Feb: 7 am-4:30 pm; Mar and Oct: 7 am-5 pm; Apr-Sept: 6:30 am-5 pm.
Address: 2381 Hongqiao Lu, Xuhui district (one mile east of Hongqiao International Airport)
To see near Shanghai Zoo
- Qibao Old Street
- Caohejing Hi-Tech Park
- Intex Shanghai
- National Exhibition and Convention Center
- Hongqiao Linkong Economic Zone
The Best Hotels near Shanghai Zoo
- Shanghai Marriott Hotel Hongqiao
- Cypress Hotel
- GreenTree Inn Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Apartment Hotel
- Artyzen Habitat Hongqiao Shanghai
- Xijiao State Guest Hotel
- Hanting Express
- Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao
- YaTi by Artyzen Hongqiao Shanghai
- Home Inn Shanghai Hongqiao Airport World Trade Exhibition Center
- Argyle International Airport Hotel Hongqiao