This article will focus on the zoo, which is located in the western part of Beijing (Xicheng district). Previously, there were imperial gardens. This is an incredibly beautiful place. In addition to exclusive animals, the zoo is rich in flora. Tall trees alternate with bushes here.
Tourists can also relax by the ponds, along the banks of which willows grow. You can pass through the ducts along the openwork bridges that the Chinese love so much. The landscape is diluted with stone statues of animals and simply abstract compositions.
Relics
The area of the zoo is 90 hectares. There are many buildings here that have been preserved since the reign of the Qing Dynasty. These include:
- Beautiful view tower.
- Main gate.
- Changchun Hall.
- Ilu Pavilion.
- Fragrant Blossom Pavilion.
- Binfengtan Hall (Currently herethere is a restaurant).
- Pion Pavilion.
- Monument to the Four Victims of the 1911 Revolution.
Animals
To comfortably walk around the zoo and not miss anything, you should know that the territory is divided into sections:
- Panda House.
- Tiger and Lion Hill.
- Monkey Pavilion.
- Bird Lake.
- African zone.
- Giraffe enclosure.
- Aviary with the inhabitants of the Yangtze River (crocodiles, alligators, turtles, snakes, pythons).
The zoo is well funded by the state. Huge sums are allocated annually for renovation of enclosures and research activities. In 2003, a popular science hall appeared here, in which lectures on wildlife are held for everyone. The center is equipped with excellent quality equipment. There are often living representatives of the fauna in the classes. The zoo has 4 awards for its contribution to research activities for the conservation of the planet. To date, there are about 30 buildings with cages, aviaries, terrariums.
From the history of the menagerie
Where the zoo is now, gardens were planted during the Qi Dynasty. Since 1906, animals began to appear here. First, the zoo was declared an Agrarian Experimental Center. From 1906 to 1908, preparations were made for the opening of the institution. The administration was engaged in expanding the area, building enclosures for animals. In 1908, the grand opening of the Beijing Zoo took place. The appearance of such a place in the city caused a stiramong the inhabitants. The event was attended by a huge number of people. At the time of opening, about 100 species of unusual animals settled in the natural complex.
In 1911, the institution was nationalized. In a terrible time for China, the Sino-Japanese War, almost all animals died a tragic death. Only the emu and a dozen monkeys survived the horrors of confrontation. The Beijing Zoo began to be restored after the People's Revolution in 1949. The name "Beijing Zoo" was given to the reserve in 1955. A huge number of animals were brought from neighboring countries. Workers and specialists went to gain experience all over the world, including in the USSR.
From 1965 to 1976, there was a cultural revolution in China. The menagerie was forgotten a little, and its development stopped. In the ranks of the employees of the institution, a political "cleansing" was carried out. Unfortunately, due to politics, many contracts for the purchase of valuable breeds of animals were terminated. When this period ended, China restored friendly relations with many countries. Then England, Australia, the United States gave the Chinese zoo a lot of new breeds of animals.
Panda House
An animal worth visiting the Beijing Zoo for is the giant panda. Representatives of the fauna appeared on the planet 600-700 thousand years ago. Since serious changes have taken place on Earth since that time, not for the better, pandas have become endangered, therefore they were listed in the Red Book. The number of forests in which the bears lived has greatly decreased. Initially, pandas were carnivores, but over time they began to eat bamboo.
The habitat of giant pandas is moist and dense thickets of bamboo, which are located in the mountains at an altitude of 2 to 4 kilometers. Animals do not tolerate sudden changes in weather. Houses are made in hollows or caves. They live in pairs. Their mating season begins in April, and they bring offspring in the fall. As a rule, this is one or two cubs, in rare cases three heirs are born.
The Chinese government monitors the population of bears and funded the creation of 10 nature reserves. The giant panda has become a symbol of China. These animals are brought as a gift as a sign of friendship between countries. Black and white bears now live in England, Germany, Japan, USA, France, Mexico. The panda's house is a sector where plush animals live. Here you can see how they frolic on the green grass. Kids know how to play ball, jump on ladders and ropes, touchingly eat bananas and other fruits on both cheeks. Feeding animals is strictly prohibited!
Oceanarium
The Beijing Zoo houses China's largest aquarium. It was opened in 1999. Reminds me of a labyrinth with glass walls. Behind the partitions there is a huge number of underwater inhabitants:
- stingrays;
- jellyfish;
- sharks;
- fish.
Oceanarium consists of four sectors. One of them is a large library. Here you can learn everything about the underwater fauna. There is a sector where a show of dolphins and sea lions is held. Visitors who love driving and extreme sports can visit the shark hall. There is a sector with the inhabitants of the tropics. Here you will see exotic marine life.
Opening hours
Are you going to spend the day at the Beijing Zoo? Everyone needs to know the opening hours. From April to October, the natural complex operates from 7:30 to 18:00, and from November to March - from 7:30 to 17:00.
How to get to Beijing Zoo
If you use underground transportation, you need to get off at Beijing Zoo Subway Station (Line 4). Numbers of buses that will bring to the natural complex: 4, 27, 104, 107, 205, 209, 319, 362, 534, 632, 697, 808. You need to get off at the Zoo stop.
Ticket price
The country's currency is the Chinese yuan. For 100 US dollars, you can buy 680 yuan (CNY). Purchase local currency before going to the zoo. The prices here are relatively moderate. Entrance fee from April to October to the Panda House is 15 RMB.
From November to March, the price drops to 10 yuan. There are no child tickets. Children under 120 cm tall are admitted free of charge. The price of visiting the entire zoo is significantly different. The entrance fee to the natural complex for an adult is 140 yuan. Child ticket costs 80.
Reviews
The reviews of most people who visited the Beijing Zoo are not just good, but enthusiastic, but you need to be prepared for some nuances. Those who visit China not for the first time, they saythat you need to be prepared for the fact that English is rarely spoken in establishments, everything is also written in Chinese at the checkout. You will have to explain yourself on your fingers or slowly learn the language. Tourists say that you can have a tasty and inexpensive meal near the zoo. Chinese bistros often serve waffles with ice cream and sweet beans, and many advise trying this unusual dish. There is also a cafe on the territory of the natural complex, but the prices there are much higher.
According to the stories of visitors, this is not just a zoo, but a whole town. Shoes on your feet should be as comfortable as possible, as you will have to walk a lot. All enclosures on the territory are very spacious. Of the minuses, tourists note that all the signs in the zoo are in Chinese, and you can easily get lost.
Another thing that upset some travelers is that there are many exhibits and little time. Beijing Zoo is open until 18:00. If you are traveling with a guide (which is very convenient for those who do not know Chinese), then you will most likely be taken to the Giant Panda House, and then to the aquarium, you will see the rest of the animals in dashes. According to eyewitnesses, it is impossible to see the entire zoo in one day - it is too big.
Beijing Zoo is visited by about 7 million people every year. It belongs to the luxury attractions. Many tourists are surprised by the overcrowded Beijing Zoo at noon on Monday. Beijing is used to this, and the residents take it as the norm. A visit to the menagerie will leave impressions of a lifetime. Here you will see such representativesfauna, of which there are very few left in the world.
