Beijing Zoo: description, time of work, how to get, reviews

This article will focus on the zoo, which is located in the western part of Beijing (Xicheng District). Previously, there were imperial gardens. It's an incredibly beautiful place. In addition to exclusive animals, the zoo is rich in flora. High trees alternate with bushes here.

Tourists can also relax by the ponds on the banks of which willows grow. Pass through the canals on the openwork bridges, which the Chinese love so much. The landscape is diluted with stone statues of animals and just abstract compositions.

Relics

The area of the zoo is 90 hectares. There are many buildings that have survived since the reign of the Qing dynasty. These include:

• Tower of a beautiful view.
• The main gate.
• Hall of Changchun.
• The Ilu Pavilion.
• Pavilion of a fragrant flowering.
• Binfengtang Hall (currently there is a restaurant here).
• Pavilion of peonies.
• Monument to the Four Victims of the Revolution of 1911.

Animals

To conveniently walk around the zoo and do not miss anything, you should know that the territory is divided into sections:

• The panda house.
• Hill of tigers and lions.
• Pavilion of monkeys.
• The lake of birds.
• African area.
• An aviary of giraffes.
• Aviary with the inhabitants of the Yangtze River (crocodiles, alligators, turtles, snakes, pythons).

The zoo is well-funded by the state. Annually, huge amounts are allocated for the renovation of cages and research activities. In 2003, there appeared the popular science hall, where lectures on wild nature are held for all comers. The center is equipped with the equipment of excellent quality. In the classroom there are often live representatives of the fauna. The zoo has 4 awards for contribution to scientific research activities on the planet's environmental conservation. To date, there are about 30 buildings with cages, enclosures, terrariums.

From the history of the menagerie

Where there is a zoo now, the gardens were broken up during the reign of the Qi dynasty. Since 1906 animals began to appear here. First, the zoo was declared the Agrarian Experimental Center. From 1906 to 1908, preparations were made for the opening of the institution. The administration was engaged in the expansion of areas, the construction of enclosures for animals. In 1908, the grand opening of the Beijing Zoo was held. The appearance of such a place in the city caused an agiotage among the residents. The event was attended by a huge number of people. About 100 species of unusual animals settled in the natural complex for the time of their discovery.

In 1911 the institution was nationalized. In the terrible time for China, the Sino-Japanese war, almost all the animals died a tragic death. The horrors of confrontation were experienced only by the emus and ten monkeys. The Beijing Zoo began to rebuild after the People's Revolution of 1949. The name "Beijing Zoo" reserve was received 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, China was the time of a cultural revolution. The zoo was forgotten a little, and its development stopped. In the ranks of the workers of the institution they conducted a political "purge". Unfortunately, because of the policy, many contracts for the acquisition of valuable breeds of animals were terminated. When this period ended, China restored friendly relations with many countries. Then England, Australia, USA gave the Chinese zoo many new breeds of animals.

Panda House

An animal for which it is simply necessary to visit the Beijing Zoo is a large panda. Representatives of the fauna appeared on the planet 600-700 thousand years ago. Since the Earth has undergone serious changes since that time, the pandas were threatened with extinction, therefore they were listed in the Red Book. The number of forest areas in which the bears lived was greatly reduced. Initially, pandas belonged to the category of carnivores, but eventually they began to eat bamboo.

The habitat of giant pandas is damp and dense bamboo thickets, which are in the mountains at an altitude of 2 to 4 kilometers. Animals do not tolerate sharp weather changes. Houses make themselves in hollows or caves. They live in pairs. The marriage period begins in April, and they bring offspring in the autumn. Typically, this is one or two cubs, in rare cases, the light appears three heirs.

The Chinese government monitors the population of bears and financed the creation of 10 reserves. The giant panda has become a symbol of China. These animals are donated as a token of friendship between countries. Black and white bears now live in England, Germany, Japan, USA, France, Mexico. The panda house is the habitat of plush animals. Here you can see how they frolic on the green grass. Kids can play ball, jump on hinged ladders and ropes, touchingly weave for both cheeks bananas and other fruits. Feeding animals is strictly prohibited!

The Oceanarium

In Beijing Zoo is the largest oceanarium in China. It was opened in 1999. It reminds me of a labyrinth with glass walls. Behind the partitions is a huge number of underwater inhabitants:

• Skates;
• Jellyfish;
• Sharks;
• Fish.

The 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 dolphins and sea lions show. Visitors who love drive and extreme, can visit the shark hall. There is a sector with inhabitants of the tropics. Here you will see exotic marine life.

Working hours

Are you going to spend the day at the Beijing Zoo? You need to know the time of work for everyone. 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 move by underground, then you need to get off at Beijing Zoo metro station (4th line). Bus numbers that will bring to the natural complex: 4, 27, 104, 107, 205, 209, 319, 362, 534, 632, 697, 808. You need to exit at the stop Zoo.

Ticket price

The country's currency is Chinese yuan. For 100 US dollars you can buy 680 yuan (CNY). Get your local currency before you go to the zoo. The prices here are relatively moderate. The cost of entry from April to October in the panda house is 15 yuan.

From November to March, the price is reduced to 10 yuan. There are no children's tickets. Toddlers below 120 cm are free of charge. The price of visiting the entire zoo is significantly different. The cost of going to the natural complex for an adult is 140 yuan. Children's ticket costs 80.

Reviews

Reviews of most people who visited the Beijing Zoo are not just good, but enthusiastic, but to some nuances you need to be prepared. Those who visit China not for the first time, say that you need to be prepared for the fact that in institutions they rarely speak English, at the checkout office everything is also written in Chinese. Have to explain on your fingers or quietly learn the language. Tourists tell us that it is possible to have a tasty and inexpensive snack next to the zoo. In the Chinese bistro often served waffles with ice cream and sweet beans, many advise to try this unusual dish. On the territory of the natural complex there is also a cafe, but there prices are an order of magnitude 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, since you will have to walk a lot. All cages in the territory are very spacious. Of the minuses, tourists note that all the signs in the zoo in Chinese, and you can easily get lost.

Another thing that upset some travelers - there are many exhibits, and there is not much time. The Beijing Zoo is open until 18:00. If you travel with a guide (which is very convenient for those who do not know Chinese), then you will most likely be taken to the Great Panda House, and then to the aquarium, the rest of the animals will see dashes. According to eyewitnesses, it is impossible to see the entire zoo in one day - it is too big.

The Beijing Zoo every year is visited by about 7 million people. It belongs to the sights of luxury. Many tourists are surprised by the Beijing Zoo, which is crowded at noon on Monday. Beijing is used to this, and residents perceive this as the norm. A visit to the zoo will leave impressions for life. Here you will see such representatives of the fauna, which are very few in the world.