Beijing Zoo

Beijing Zoo, situated to the west of Beijing Exhibition Center, facing Beijing Astronomical Observatory, was known for a short time after the founding of the Peoples Republic as Western Suburbs Park (Xijiao Gongyuan). The grounds combine cultivated flower gardens with stretches of natural scenery, including dense groves of trees, stretches of grassland, a small stream, lotus pools and small hills dotted with pavilions and halls.

Beijing Zoo mainly exhibits wild and rare animals growing in China, such as the Panda and the Golden Monkey. Visitors usually go to see the famous giant pandas, but there are many other interesting animals including golden monkeys, Manchurian tigers, white-lipped deer, yaks from Tibet and enormous sea turtles, White Bear from the North Pole, Kangaroo from Australia, Zebra from Africa. Moreover, heads of states gave some of the animals.

The zoo is also a famous center of zoological research and they collect and breed rare birds and animals from various continents.

Construction
The buildings in the Zoo cover an area of more than 50,000 square meters, including the monkey hill, the panda hall, the lion and tiger hill, the elephant hall, the see beast hall, and many others. More information...

History
The Zoo was originally the imperial manor in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). During that period, an imperial mansion called the Garden of Happiness and Friendship constructed for Prince Kang stood here. More information...