Chongqing Zoo

Chongqing Zoo has been open since 1955 and is one of the larger urban zoos in China, home to over 4,000 animals across more than 200 species — including giant pandas, red pandas, South China tigers, and Asian elephants. It also houses a national breeding center for the endangered South China tiger. Built into hillside terrain rather than flat ground, the layout takes some walking, but it makes for a more varied, scenic visit than a typical flat-plan zoo.

The panda enclosure is the main draw for most visitors, and animals tend to be most active earlier in the day — arriving before mid-morning gives the best chance of seeing the pandas awake and feeding rather than resting.

It’s a solid option for families or anyone traveling with kids, and easy to combine with a visit to nearby Liziba Station, which sits on the same metro line.