Beijing Zoo Tickets: how to buy, prices and discounts
Beijing Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world and one of the main attractions of the Chinese capital. Here's everything you need to know to enjoy your visit to this traditional animal sanctuary.
If you plan to travel to the Chinese capital and want to enjoy an alternative plan, outside the tours of the old part of the city and the Olympic Village, which marks the limit of the most modern attractions, you can not miss the Beijing Zoo, a natural reserve of more than 15,000 animals of 450 different species.
In this zoo, which is especially known for its collection of Chinese animals, you can discover giant pandas, snow leopards, Bengal tigers, giraffes, Asian elephants, polar bears, seals, and numerous species of birds, reptiles and fish, making it one of the best things to see and do in Beijing.
How much do tickets to the Beijing Zoo cost?
Tickets for the Beijing Zoo have a starting cost of approximately 6 euros for adults and 3 euros for children between 5 and 12 years old, although prices tend to vary during the summer season and during holidays such as Chinese New Year, which is celebrated in Beijing in March or National Day, which is celebrated every October 1.
Since it is not an expensive plan, it is one of the best alternatives to do in the Chinese capital as a family or if you plan to visit the city with children. In addition, the zoo is usually included among the best tours in Beijing.
Children under 5 years old can enter for free, although they must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Tickets, depending on the season, may not include access to all museum attractions.
Details of interest
- Price: the entrance fee is approximately 6 euros per person for adults and 3 euros for children.
- Location: 137 Xizhimen Outer St, Xicheng Qu, Beijing.
- Hours: daily from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm in winter and from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm in summer.
What types of tickets are available? Are there any skip-the-line tickets to Beijing Zoo?
Tickets are general admission and have an initial cost of approximately 6 euros for adults and 3 euros for children between 5 and 12 years old, while children under 5 years old are free, provided they are accompanied by a responsible adult. These tickets, with few exceptions, include access to all attractions.
On some specific dates, such as Chinese New Year or during National Day, due to the large influx of tourists, some Beijing Zoo attractions, such as the Safari or the reptile and bird theme parks, may be restricted or require an extra payment, which is usually about 1 euro.
You can get skip-the-line tickets if you take a full-day tour or if you combine your tour of the zoo with a visit to other sites in the city, such as Tiananmen Square or the Forbidden City. Also if you decide to use Beijing's hop on-hop off sightseeing bus, which usually has priority tickets.
Are tickets to the Beijing Zoo included in any Beijing sightseeing pass?
Beijing does not offer tourist passes or cards, so the zoo is not included in any agreements for tourists visiting the city. However, it is very common that in the Chinese capital the service providers for travelers offer visits for several tours together, which will allow you to save money and also time, since you can usually also count on transfers.
Usually this combination of attractions includes activities such as visiting Beijing's best temples, touring the Forbidden City, walking through Tiananmen Square and attending a Kung Fu show, which is a typical show in the Chinese capital and usually amazes visitors.
Opting for these tours can be an ideal option, especially to visit the Beijing Zoo, which is a bit far from the main attractions of the city located in the old part of the city.
Are there any tickets that include a guided tour of the Beijing Zoo, and is it worth it?
There are no tickets that include a guided tour of the Beijing Zoo, but you certainly don't need to tour the site with the assistance of an expert local guide, as it is very well signposted and information is in several languages.
The best thing you can discover at the zoo are the 15,000 animals of 450 different species on display, which are distributed in natural habitats, in theme parks and in interactive activities such as the Beijing Safari. In these cases you will have the possibility of having assistance to enjoy your visit.
In addition, by touring the zoo on your own you can also enjoy the site's gardens, which are very large and flowery, especially if you plan to visit Beijing during the summer or spring.
Are there discounted tickets for the Beijing Zoo?
You can find discounted tickets for children between the ages of 5 and 12 and sometimes also for seniors over 65, although the latter is not differentiated or made clear on the museum's official website.
Keep in mind that the zoo may change its rates depending on the number of tourists, something that is quite common in China, and that there may also be some restrictions on admission during holidays, especially during the Chinese New Year.
As there is no tourist pass or card in Beijing, you will not be able to access this benefit, which in other cities allows you to save money and time, by offering you in almost all cases tickets without queues. In any case, ticket prices, which start at approximately 6 euros, are usually affordable.
Are there special tickets for children?
The Beijing Zoo offers discounted tickets for children between 5 and 12 years of age, who pay an initial entrance fee of approximately 3 euros, compared to 6 euros for adults, while children under 5 years of age enter free of charge.
In all cases, underage children must be accompanied by a responsible adult and must show documents at the entrance to verify age.
Keep in mind that age control rules at attractions in China are very frequent, so I advise you to always carry identification for all visitors to avoid delays, especially if you are planning a short stay in the city. If that is your case, here is a list to help you discover Beijing in 2 days.
Why is it worth buying tickets online instead of at the ticket office?
If you plan to visit Beijing Zoo, buying tickets online is an excellent option compared to buying at the box office. First of all, you will be able to save time. You won't have to queue at the entrance and you will have more hours to explore the zoo and enjoy your visit. This is not a minor fact, since the influx of tourists in the Chinese capital is usually quite high.
Secondly, buying tickets online can save you money. The zoo, during some dates, offers special discounts or promotions for those who buy their tickets in advance. In addition, you can also compare prices to get the best deal.
Finally, as with the best museums in Beijing, buying your ticket in advance will give you more flexibility. You can choose the date and time of your visit to the zoo and plan your day to make sure you don't miss out on any attractions.
Beijing Zoo Opening Hours
The Beijing Zoo is open daily from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm during the winter and autumn season and from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm during the summer and spring. These extended opening hours allow you to combine a visit to this site with other attractions such as the Forbidden City or the Silk Market.
Please note that during public holidays such as Chinese New Year and National Day, the zoo may change its opening hours or even remain closed, so if you plan to tour the city on those dates, you should make sure in advance that this visit is available.
How much time do you need to visit the Beijing Zoo?
The answer will depend on several factors such as your interests, the amount of time you wish to spend at each exhibit, and the number of people in the park at the time of your visit. However, in general, it is recommended to plan at least 4 to 5 hours to see most of the exhibits.
The Beijing Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world, with an area of over 200 hectares and more than 15,000 animals of 450 different species. Among the most popular attractions are giant pandas, African elephants, Bengal tigers and giraffes, but also theme parks and interactive activities, so there are plenty of places to go around.
If you want to see all the exhibits at your leisure and have time to rest and take some of the best pictures of your trip, you may need to plan a full day visit to the zoo. Keep in mind that this may work against a short visit to the city. If that is your case, here are the activities you can do in 3 days in Beijing.
Best time to visit the Beijing Zoo
In general, the months of spring, between April and May, and autumn, between September and October, are considered the best times to visit Beijing, including its zoo, because the temperatures are milder and more pleasant, the rains are more sporadic and the influx of tourists is not so great.
However, keep in mind that during the summer months temperatures can be quite high and there is more chance of rain, as it is a humid time. On the other hand, during the winter temperatures are usually extremely cold and there can be snow and ice on the roads, which can make access to the zoo difficult.
Another factor to consider is the peak tourist season in Beijing, which generally coincides with the summer vacations and Chinese New Year or National Day celebrations. If you want to avoid the crowds, you may want to avoid visiting the zoo during these times of the year, which are very conducive to domestic tourism.
While you should consider your personal preferences when choosing your visit, possibly the best time to visit the Beijing Zoo is during spring or autumn.
How to get to Beijing Zoo?
The Beijing Zoo is one of the most visited attractions in the Chinese capital, so there are several public transportation options you can use to get there, depending on your location in the city:
- Subway: you can take line 4 to a station called Beijing Zoo. From there, the zoo entrance is about four blocks away.
- Bus: you can take lines 7, 15, 19, 27, 27, 45, 332, 334, 347, 360, 362, 601, 608 and 714, all of which will drop you off at the zoo or nearby.
- Cab: you can also take a cab from anywhere in Beijing city to the zoo. Make sure you have the address preloaded or a map app on your phone to show the destination to the driver.
What you can't miss at the Beijing Zoo
One of the main attractions at the Beijing Zoo are the giant pandas, one of China's most iconic and beloved animals. The site has a large number of pandas, both young and adults, which you can observe in their natural environment. There is also an interactive experience where you can take pictures and learn more about these animals.
The zoo also has a wide variety of wild animals from around the world, from tigers and lions to giraffes, elephants and penguins, and has a special section dedicated to marine wildlife, where you can see all kinds of aquatic animals, including the popular beluga whales.
The zoo's aquarium also has a wide variety of marine creatures, from sharks to rays and exotic fish, including a dolphin show that is very popular among visitors and that reviews the history of the country and some of its most fascinating monuments, such as the Great Wall of China.
In conclusion, in this zoo you cannot miss seeing giant pandas, a wide variety of wild specimens and a fascinating aquarium. If you love animals and you are visiting Beijing, I advise you not to miss this amazing place.
Tips for visiting the Beijing Zoo
The Beijing Zoo is one of the most distinctive attractions in the Chinese capital, but it is also a very large site and very visited by tourists, so here is a list of tips for you to keep in mind during your tour:
- Plan your visit: the zoo is huge, so it is advisable to plan which animals and attractions you want to see in advance, especially if you don't want to take 4 or 5 hours of your day for a full tour.
- Arrive early: the zoo is very popular and fills up with visitors throughout the day, so it is best to arrive early to avoid the crowds and enjoy the attractions at your leisure.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes: the zoo is large and there is a lot of walking, so it is important to wear comfortable clothes and shoes so you don't get too tired.
- Respect the animals: it is important to take care of the animals and not feed or disturb them. You cannot touch them or try to get their attention unnecessarily. Keep in mind that if you break the rules of the site you may be severely punished by the authorities.
- Buy tickets in advance: you can buy tickets at the zoo entrance, but it is better to buy them in advance to avoid long lines and save time.
- Learn about local culture and history: the zoo is also a place to learn about China, so it is worthwhile to make the most of the local culture while enjoying the site's attractions.