Taiyuan Zoo
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Taiyuan Zoo

3
·13 reviews·Tai Yuan Shi, China

Taiyuan Zoo is a large park with extensive grounds, offering a full day of walking and exploration amidst botanical gardens.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Spring mornings

Pleasant weather for walking

CrowdMedium
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Taiyuan Zoo

Taiyuan Zoo

Best Time

Spring mornings

Pleasant weather for walking

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Taiyuan Zoo is a large park with extensive grounds, offering a full day of walking and exploration amidst botanical gardens.

3
(13 reviews)

"While the zoo's size is great for walking, many visitors are disappointed by animal welfare concerns and high prices."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚶‍♀️ Prepare for Lots of Walking

The zoo is quite large, so wear comfortable shoes and plan your route to cover the expansive grounds effectively.

💰 Budget for Extra Fees

Be aware that some animal houses may have separate admission fees, and food/drinks inside can be expensive.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

3 · 13 reviews

Type

Zoo

👶 Good for kids

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Expansive Grounds

Expansive Grounds

Throughout the zoo

The zoo's large size provides ample space for a full day of walking and exploring its diverse attractions.

Botanical Gardens

Botanical Gardens

Within the zoo

Discover a variety of flowers and plants integrated into the zoo's landscape, offering a scenic backdrop.

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Planning Your Visit

Manage Expectations for Your Visit

Taiyuan Zoo's sprawling layout offers a full day of exploration, but be prepared for potential challenges. Some visitors note a lack of facilities and separate charges for animal houses, impacting the overall value. Researching current conditions and any recent improvements is advised before your trip.

Animal Welfare Concerns

Past reviews highlight significant concerns regarding animal welfare, including small, dirty enclosures and apparent neglect. Visitors have reported seeing animals with injuries and signs of distress. It's important to be aware of these reports when planning your visit.

Best Times

When
Spring mornings
Why
Pleasant weather for walking
Crowd
Medium
When
Autumn afternoons
Why
Scenic foliage views
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Prepare for Lots of Walking

The zoo is quite large, so wear comfortable shoes and plan your route to cover the expansive grounds effectively. Reddit

💰 Budget for Extra Fees

Be aware that some animal houses may have separate admission fees, and food/drinks inside can be expensive. Reddit

🚗 Parking Challenges

Parking can be an issue, with unofficial charges often applied even for roadside parking. Consider alternative transport if possible. Reddit

👀 Observe Animal Conditions

Visitors have noted concerns about animal welfare. Be mindful of the animals' living conditions during your visit. Reddit

Tips

from all over the internet

🚶‍♀️ Prepare for Lots of Walking

The zoo is quite large, so wear comfortable shoes and plan your route to cover the expansive grounds effectively. Reddit

💰 Budget for Extra Fees

Be aware that some animal houses may have separate admission fees, and food/drinks inside can be expensive. Reddit

🚗 Parking Challenges

Parking can be an issue, with unofficial charges often applied even for roadside parking. Consider alternative transport if possible. Reddit

👀 Observe Animal Conditions

Visitors have noted concerns about animal welfare. Be mindful of the animals' living conditions during your visit. Reddit

What Travellers Say

3
(13 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Taiyuan Zoo offers a vast space for exploration, appealing to those who enjoy long walks. However, many visitors express significant disappointment due to concerns about animal welfare, including small and unclean enclosures, and apparent neglect. The high cost of food and drinks, coupled with potential extra fees for animal houses and parking issues, further detracts from the experience for some.

"I grew up here.
lack of facilities, no parking lot, dirty roads nearby....
We, locals, can actually go into the zoo by climbing over the mound(wall of the zoo). Its bad service doesn't measure up its entrance ticket price, let alone almost every inner-zoo animal house will charge separately.
Local residents will charge you for parking fee, you have to pay even if you park your car on the road(NO PARKING LOT).
Food and drinks inside the zoo are expensive, up to 5 times or higher than normal price."

Mike

"horribly cruel to their animals. unbearable. It should be closed down and the animals taken from them and given sanctuary. heartbreaking"

Kate Garner

""A disappointing experience, to say the least"

15 stars Reviewed May 22, 2014
I'll start with the redemption quality. There is one. The size and set-up of the zoo is really great for a full day's walk. The attractions are truly spread out, which I understand, as I love walking.

Time for frustration. There were many kinds, in my opinion. The animals weren't cared for. Most had missing limbs or growing tumors on certain parts of their bodies. Some animals had bloody sores and had obvious neglect. Most looked tired and run down, and some looked genuinely restless; they needed more room to move around, but didn't have it.

Many of the enclosures were too small and extremely dirty, with piles of old food and feces rotting all over the floor. Large birds didn't have enough room to fly, so they jumped around, slumped on the ground, or took one of the few perches they were allowed. One time I visited, there was a baby giraffe, instead of its mother, that was unable to stand up in its cage. Another giraffe was pacing around its enclosure, looking anxious and uneasy.

The worst part was the minimal staffing on both occasions we visited. Not a single worker clearly cared for the animals. Meanwhile, people were allowed to taunt the monkeys, throw trash, and wrap up candy in their enclosures. No one was around to stop the harassment.

While trying to see the tigers, we accidentally bought tickets to a circus performance that involved cruel trainers forcing the animals to perform awkward (and unnatural) tricks with whips and sticks and general aggression. I'm not an animal expert, nor have I been to a circus since I was a child, but this didn't seem right to me or the friends I was with. We left the zoo after this, deeply disgusted and disappointed by the entire experience.

Visited January 2014"

Vicki Martin-Mackay

What People Like

Expansive grounds for walking
Integrated botanical gardens

What People Dislike

Animal welfare concerns
Expensive food and drinks
Parking difficulties

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Information on public transport routes to Taiyuan Zoo can be limited. Some visitors mention challenges with parking, with unofficial fees often charged even for roadside spots. It's advisable to check local transport apps or inquire locally for the most up-to-date bus routes or consider ride-sharing services. Reddit

Past reviews indicate a lack of a proper parking lot, leading to parking challenges and unofficial charges from locals for roadside parking. Reddit

Given the parking situation, exploring public transportation or ride-sharing services might be more convenient. Local advice suggests being prepared for potential parking difficulties. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

While the entrance ticket price is mentioned, some visitors feel the service doesn't always match the cost. Additionally, be aware that many inner-zoo animal houses may charge separate admission fees. Reddit

Yes, beyond the main entrance fee, expect separate charges for accessing individual animal houses. Food and drinks are also reported to be significantly more expensive than usual. Reddit

Information on online ticket purchasing is not readily available. It's recommended to check the official Taiyuan Zoo website or inquire locally for the most current ticketing procedures. Reddit

Specific opening hours can vary. It's best to confirm the current operating times before your visit, especially considering potential seasonal changes or special events. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The zoo is noted for its large size and spread-out attractions, offering a substantial area for a full day of walking and exploration. Reddit

Some reviews mention a lack of facilities, so it's advisable to be prepared and bring any essentials you might need. Reddit

While the zoo has a variety of animals, past visitor experiences have raised concerns about the condition and care of many animals, including small enclosures and signs of neglect. Reddit

Yes, the zoo's size and spread-out attractions are designed for a full day's visit, allowing ample time for walking and seeing the exhibits. Reddit

Visitor experiences have been mixed, with some appreciating the walking opportunities but many expressing disappointment and concern over animal welfare and facility issues. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Food and drinks inside Taiyuan Zoo are reported to be significantly more expensive than usual, with prices up to five times higher than normal. Reddit

Yes, visitors have found the food and beverage prices inside the zoo to be very high. Reddit

While not explicitly stated, given the high prices inside, bringing your own snacks and water is a common strategy for budget-conscious visitors to other attractions. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The zoo's expansive grounds and integrated botanical gardens can offer scenic backdrops for photography. Focus on the natural landscapes and any well-maintained animal enclosures. Reddit

No specific photography restrictions are mentioned, but be mindful of animal welfare and avoid disturbing them. Reddit

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