Description: Advantages: can see some rare animals.
Disadvantages: too crowded for animals and visitors both.
Beijing Zoo is one of the most popular tourist sites in Beijing. It was built in 1908 and was the first zoo to be opened to the general public in China.
It is located in the Xicheng district of Beijing city, which is now one of prosperous business areas of the city. It's very easy to get there as many buses pass by the zoo. You could also try one of the two canal routes, which leave via Summer Palace.
Beijing Zoo covers an area of more than 50 000 square meters, has a collection of more than 600 animal species and a population of more than 7 000 animals. There are more than 30 large halls, not only for wild and rare native animals to China, but also for many wild and rare animals from around the world.
There are 5 'must see' enclosures when you visit the zoo.
1. Great Panda Halls
The Great Panda Halls are near the main entrance of Beijing Zoo. The new hall was opened in 1990 and in same year was awarded the status of one of the top 10 buildings of Beijing. The design reflects the symbol of Tai Chi, which connects closely with Chinese culture. There are 5 pandas in the new hall and 8 pandas in the old hall, which was reconstructed for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Incidentally those 8 pandas came from Sichuan after the earthquake of 12 May 2008.
2. Lion and Tiger Hill
It's another famous site. It was built in 1955 and is located in the eastern part of Beijing Zoo. It covers an area more than 560 square meters and includes a man-made hill. There you can see wild tigers from the north-east of China. They are very rare in the world. You can also see 2 white tigers from Bangladesh. These have already disappeared in the wild and there are approximately 220 left in captivity. Apart from the tigers you can also see a lion family from Africa and some Asian bears.
3. Monkey Hill and Golden Monkey Hall
The monkey is very popular with Chinese people. On Monkey Hill you can see monkeys from different parts of China, such as Sichuan, Guangdong and Zhejiang etc. In the Golden Monkey Hall you can see a troop of the so called world's most valuable monkey named the Golden monkey. These animals come from Yunnan province.
4. Beijing Sea Hall
It was opened in 1999 and is the biggest aquarium in China. There are six exhibition sites with different themes. They are referred to as the wonders of the tropical rainforest, the touch pool, the deep sea world, the shark aquarium, the whale and dolphin pools and finally the marine Theatre Bay. There are two shows in the Theater Bay every day, which are performed by the dolphins, the whales, the sea lions and other mammals.
5. Penguin Hall and Polar Bear Hall
In the two halls you can see penguins from the South Pole and polar bears from the North Pole. Isn't it exciting to see two Poles in one trip?
Besides the five enclosures mentioned above you can also see, amongst so many other animals, kangaroos, koala bears and emus from Australasia, and zebras, elephants as wells as flamingoes from Africa.
When you are feeling tired from your wanderings take a break by the zoo's lake. There you can see many birds, some of whom migrate from the south of China and some from as far away as the Far East.
Finally you can also visit many old buildings that were constructed in the Qing Dynasty and wander among the many very ancient trees that are scattered around the zoo.
Summary: There are some to see in the zoo.
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