Taiyuan Zoo
Taiyuan Zoo is a large park with extensive grounds, offering a full day of walking and exploration amidst botanical gardens.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
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Best Time
Pleasant weather for walking
Taiyuan Zoo
Best Time
Pleasant weather for walking
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Taiyuan Zoo is a large park with extensive grounds, offering a full day of walking and exploration amidst botanical gardens.
"While the zoo's size is great for walking, many visitors are disappointed by animal welfare concerns and high prices."
🚶♀️ 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.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
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
Within the zoo
Discover a variety of flowers and plants integrated into the zoo's landscape, offering a scenic backdrop.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Manage Expectations for Your Visit
Animal Welfare Concerns
Best Times
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.
💰 Budget for Extra Fees
Be aware that some animal houses may have separate admission fees, and food/drinks inside can be expensive.
🚗 Parking Challenges
Parking can be an issue, with unofficial charges often applied even for roadside parking. Consider alternative transport if possible.
👀 Observe Animal Conditions
Visitors have noted concerns about animal welfare. Be mindful of the animals' living conditions during your visit.
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.
💰 Budget for Extra Fees
Be aware that some animal houses may have separate admission fees, and food/drinks inside can be expensive.
🚗 Parking Challenges
Parking can be an issue, with unofficial charges often applied even for roadside parking. Consider alternative transport if possible.
👀 Observe Animal Conditions
Visitors have noted concerns about animal welfare. Be mindful of the animals' living conditions during your visit.
What Travellers Say
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
What People Dislike
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.
Past reviews indicate a lack of a proper parking lot, leading to parking challenges and unofficial charges from locals for roadside parking.
Given the parking situation, exploring public transportation or ride-sharing services might be more convenient. Local advice suggests being prepared for potential parking difficulties.
🎫 🎫 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.
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.
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.
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.
🎫 🧭 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.
Some reviews mention a lack of facilities, so it's advisable to be prepared and bring any essentials you might need.
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.
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.
Visitor experiences have been mixed, with some appreciating the walking opportunities but many expressing disappointment and concern over animal welfare and facility issues.
🍽️ 🍽️ 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.
Yes, visitors have found the food and beverage prices inside the zoo to be very high.
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.
📸 📸 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.
No specific photography restrictions are mentioned, but be mindful of animal welfare and avoid disturbing them.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
It's also worth noting that food and drinks inside the zoo are considerably more expensive than average, so packing snacks and water is a good idea. Due to the potential for disappointment regarding animal conditions and the overall experience, families might want to research recent updates or consider alternative family-friendly attractions in the Taiyuan area.
🚶 Budget Travelers
Parking is another area where costs can unexpectedly arise, as there's no dedicated lot, and unofficial fees are often charged for roadside parking. To save money, consider bringing your own food and drinks, and research the most economical public transport options to reach the zoo.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating Taiyuan Zoo: A Visitor's Guide
When planning your visit, it's crucial to manage expectations regarding the overall visitor experience. While the size of the zoo is a positive for walkers, some guests have expressed concerns about the maintenance of enclosures and the overall care of the animals. It's advisable to research recent visitor feedback to get the most current understanding of the zoo's conditions.
For those planning a visit, comfortable footwear is essential. Consider bringing your own water and snacks, as food and beverages inside the zoo are reported to be significantly overpriced. Parking can also be a challenge, with unofficial fees often associated with roadside parking due to the absence of a dedicated lot.
Animal Welfare and Visitor Concerns
Compounding these concerns is the perceived minimal staffing and lack of oversight. Reports suggest that staff members do not always intervene when visitors harass animals or throw trash into enclosures. The zoo has also been criticized for hosting circus-like performances that involve cruel training methods, further impacting the perception of animal treatment.
These observations have led to strong negative feedback from some visitors, with recommendations to avoid the zoo due to ethical concerns. It's important for potential visitors to be aware of these widely reported issues when considering a trip to Taiyuan Zoo.
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