Chongqing Zoo: pandas and a morning route

Chongqing Zoo (重庆动物园) fits a panda visit into a morning in the city. The panda areas sit near East Gate 2, a short walk from Line 2. Stay for about two hours, or add red pandas, giraffes and a walk beside the waterfowl lake.

Opening times and ticket prices

The grounds open from 08:00 to 17:30, with last entry at 16:30. General animal viewing runs from 08:30 to 17:00.

Aim to reach East Gate 2 between 08:00 and 08:15. That gives you time to enter and reach the panda area as animal viewing begins. Keep the first part of your visit for watching them eat bamboo, climb or move between their resting spots.

Adult admission costs CNY 25 (≈ USD 3.7 ) per person from January to November, or CNY 20 (≈ USD 3.0 ) per person in December. You can buy tickets at the staffed window at East Gate 2.

To arrange admission before you go, book Chongqing Zoo tickets. Choose the adult ticket and your visit date. The traveler form asks for your surname and given name. Enter them as shown on the passport or permit you travel with. Present the issued e-ticket at the main gate’s online-ticket entrance.

Getting there: Line 2 to East Gate 2

Take Line 2 to Zoo Station (动物园站), Exit 1. At street level, follow the zoo signs along Xijiao Road (西郊路) to East Gate 2 (重庆动物园东二门). Allow 3–5 minutes for this last walk.

Inside the gate, follow Panda Avenue (熊猫大道) to the panda house, marked 熊猫馆. This is the first animal area near the entrance. Start here before taking the paths deeper into the zoo.

For metro tickets and transfers from elsewhere in the city, use the Chongqing transport guide.

Where to spot the pandas

Explore both the upper and lower panda viewing areas. Use the names on the enclosure boards to find pandas you follow online. The group known as 四喜丸子 consists of two sets of twins: 双双 and 重重, and 喜喜 and 庆庆. Their shared-table photos made them well known. 渝可 and 渝爱 are two more names to look for during your visit.

The viewing platform on the second floor gives you a view from above. Try the lower glass windows for a different angle on a panda’s face and paws. Move between the viewing areas to see different parts of the enclosures. Allow time to watch a panda settle with bamboo or climb.

Two-hour route: pandas and a quiet break

For a short visit, follow this route: East Gate 2 → Panda Avenue → panda viewing areas → a rest stop → East Gate 2.

Allow about 75–90 minutes around the pandas, then 20–30 minutes for a break and the return walk. This keeps most of your time with the animals that brought you here.

The 虫动市集 market beside the panda house sells panda toys, magnets and other souvenirs. It includes designs based on the zoo’s named pandas. The adjacent 虫动咖啡 café has seating for a drink and a rest. Nearby benches give you another place to sit before returning to the gate.

Half-day route: red pandas and lake paths

With 3–4 hours, start with the giant pandas and add the red pandas (小熊猫). Use the park signs to find their exhibit, then choose a few more animal areas that interest you.

For giraffes and elephants, take the slope behind the panda area toward the herbivores. Continue toward the waterfowl lake for a break beside the water. If you want a longer walk, add the tiger area and bird exhibits on your way back toward the entrance.

You can also keep a slower half day around the giant pandas, red pandas and café. This leaves more time at the enclosures without adding the larger hill circuit. For wider plans with children, see the family travel guide.

On to Liziba on Line 2

Return to Zoo Station and take Line 2 toward Jiaochangkou (较场口). Liziba (李子坝) is six stops away, with no transfer.

This makes the train through the building a simple next stop after the zoo. Use the Liziba train guide for the walk to the viewing plaza and the current station works.

Slopes, summer heat and rainy days

Slopes and steps: The wider zoo has both. The short panda circuit limits hill walking. With a wheelchair or stroller, use the marked ramps. Ask visitor centre staff to point out the route around the steps. Toilets are near the visitor centre, and East Gate 2 has self-service lockers.

Heat: Pandas often move indoors as temperatures rise. Choose the early short circuit in hot weather, then take a seated break before deciding on more walking.

Rain: The indoor panda display gives you a covered viewing stop, but paths between animal areas are outdoors. Keep to the short route in light rain. For an indoor afternoon, choose a stop from the rainy-day guide. The reptile and amphibian hall is closed for work from 14 October to 24 December 2026, so leave it out of your route during this period.