Covering an area of more than 2,000 mu (329.4 acres), Xian Qinling Zoological Park is the first wildlife zoo in northwest China. It is a comprehensive park integrated scientific education, tourism, entertainment together with animal protection.
The locus where the zoological park lies was once the backyard of several dynasties. In Han Dynasty (221 - 206 BC), it was a place for hunting. Cuiwei Palace was established here as the summer resort for the aristocrats. Emperor Xuanzong often hunted here and regarded it as the imperial inner court, thus it is called Inner Courtyard.
The park falls into four sections, namely, Walking area, Herbivore area, Beast of prey area and Birdsong forest. In addition, there are animal performing ground, young animal playground, pleasure ground, animal hospital, endangered species breeding center. To offer more humanized service, the cafe, cafeteria, garden, vacation village are even fitted here. There houses about 300 species of typical animals from different corners of the world totaling up to 10,000 animals including the endangered white tiger, white python, takin, golden monkey, crested ibis and some other alien species. Through short-distanced observation can you feel the might of the ferocious beasts, the docility of the herbivore, the weirdness of reptiles, the grace and lightness of the birds. It is even possible for you to have close contact with the cute ones.
The animals' exhibition area is divided into two parts: the walking area and car-riding area. Situated in the west of the park, the walking area covers an area of 130,000 square meters (32 acres). In the walking area, about 260 species of animals are exhibited. You can see the giant panda, golden monkey, sea lion, sea leopard, the largest living mammal on land - Asian elephant, guanaco and alpaca from South America, red kangaroo and cassowary from Australia, hippo from Africa, Bengal tiger, flocks of flamingoes etc. The showy parrots are much more attractive to viewers. You will be teased a lot by the funny performance in the performing grounds.
Herbivore is exhibited in the bus-riding area in the east of the park. In the area of 370,000 square meters (91 acres) lives the herbivore from both Africa and Asia, such as giraffe, zebra, gnu, antelope, white-lipped deer, camel with two humps, yak, Ta'er ibex native to the mountainous region of the Himalaya. There totally inhabit about 1,700 animals of 47 species.
Beast of prey area is in the south of the park occupying an area of 118,000 square meters (29 acres). The beasts here amount to 90 of nine species, who are raised in six areas like African lion area, cheetah area, African feral dog area, tiger area, bear area, wolf area. Tourists are permitted to call on these animals in the protective sightseeing bus. When the sightseeing bus is approaching the exhibition hall, those animals get very excited and run after it. When they see there is food thrown out of the bus, they will jump suddenly to get it. Undoubtedly, it adds much excitement to the tour.
No matter in species or amount of the animals, Qinling Zoological Park is the No. 1 in northwest regions in China. It is a good option for your boring weekend.
Entrance Fee: CNY 100 (Apr. 1 to Oct. 31); CNY 80 (Nov. 1 to Mar. 31)
Opening Hours:
08:00 - 18:00 (Apr. 1 to Oct. 31)
09:00 - 17:00 (Nov. 1 to Mar. 31)
Bus Route: Take Tourism Bus No. 9 (320) and get off at Qinling Zoological Park stop.
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