Guangzhou Zoo (广州动物园) is the city’s classic, budget-friendly animal park in Yuexiu District, known for being easy to reach by metro and surprisingly “big-day-out” for the price. It’s also positioned as a major local science/popular-education base, with on-site animal keeper talks mentioned in official info.
If you want a realistic, practical plan (not fluffy travel talk), this guide covers tickets, opening times, how to get there, what to prioritize, and common mistakes.
Guangzhou Zoo at a glance 📍⏱️💳
| What you need | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| Address | No. 120 Xianlie Middle Road (先烈中路120号), Yuexiu District, Guangzhou |
| Opening hours | 08:00–18:00 (all year); last entry ~17:00 |
| Ticket price | Full ticket ¥20, half ticket ¥10 (see eligibility below) |
| Reservation | No reservation required (per official info) |
| Nearest metro | Line 5: Zoo Station (动物园站) near the south gate |
| Alternative metro | Line 6: Huanghuagang Station (黄花岗站) Exit A (official visitor guidance) |
| Best time to go | Weekday morning (cooler + animals more active) |
Why visit Guangzhou Zoo ✅
1) It’s one of the best-value “half-day attractions” in central Guangzhou
Official visitor guidance lists a full ticket at ¥20, which is rare for a major city attraction.
2) Metro access is unusually convenient for a zoo 🚇
Zoo Station (Line 5) was built near the zoo’s south gate area, making it simple to arrive without a taxi.
3) It’s not just walking—there’s structured learning
Official info mentions scheduled keeper explanations (animal caretaker talks) and positions the zoo as a science education base.
Tickets & prices 💳
Standard admission
- Full ticket: ¥20
- Half ticket: ¥10
Free entry (common official categories)
Official information lists free entry for:
- children under 1.2 m or under 6 years old
- seniors 65+
- plus certain eligible groups with valid documents (e.g., active-duty military, people with disabilities, etc.)
Who qualifies for half-price?
Official info lists half price for:
- children 1.2–1.5 m
- youth 6–18 (with ID)
- full-time students (undergrad or below, with student ID)
- seniors 60–65 (with valid ID)
✅ Tip: If you’re traveling with family, keep IDs handy—ticket counters often rely on documents for discounts.
Opening hours & best time to visit ⏱️
- Open: 08:00–18:00
- Last entry: commonly listed as 17:00 stop-entry
Best time window (practical)
- Weekdays 08:30–11:30 → animals tend to be more active, less heat, fewer crowds.
- Avoid the “sleepy zone”: 13:00–15:00, especially in warm months.
How to get there 🚇🚌🚕
Metro (recommended) 🚇✅
Option A: Line 5 → Zoo Station (动物园站)
This station is near the south gate of Guangzhou Zoological Garden (per station description).
Option B: Line 6 → Huanghuagang Station (黄花岗站) Exit A
This is explicitly listed in an official Yuexiu District visitor guide as a transport option.
Taxi / ride-hailing 🚕
Use this pin / address for accurate drop-off:
- 广州市越秀区先烈中路120号（广州动物园）
A simple “best route” inside the zoo 🗺️✅
Because layouts and crowd flow change, the most reliable strategy is not a strict map—it’s a loop plan:
2–3 hour plan (first-time, relaxed)
- Arrive early → walk straight to your “must-see” animals first (before queues build).
- Do one full loop through main zones without backtracking.
- Finish with lighter areas (birds/smaller exhibits) when the sun is stronger.
4–5 hour plan (slow + photos)
- Add breaks, sit-down drinks, and wait-time exhibits (you’ll enjoy it more than speed-running).
Tips & common mistakes ✅⚠️
✅ Bring water + sun protection
Guangzhou heat + humidity can be intense. The zoo is outdoors-heavy.
✅ Use the official last-entry time as your hard cutoff
If stop-entry is ~17:00, don’t plan a “late arrival” day.
⚠️ Don’t assume you’ll “see everything”
Better plan: pick 5–8 priority stops and enjoy them—otherwise it becomes a tiring checklist.
✅ Look for keeper talk times
Official info notes keeper explanations at set times—this can turn a basic visit into a genuinely memorable one.
⚠️ Avoid feeding animals
Even if you see people doing it—don’t. It’s unsafe and often against rules.
FAQ ❓
How much is Guangzhou Zoo?
Official guidance lists ¥20 full ticket and ¥10 half ticket.
What are Guangzhou Zoo opening hours?
Official info lists 08:00–18:00, with stop-entry commonly shown as 17:00.
Which metro station is closest to Guangzhou Zoo?
Zoo Station (Line 5) is described as near the south gate of the zoo.
Conclusion
Guangzhou Zoo is the kind of attraction that’s easy to underestimate: cheap ticket, central location, strong metro access, and enough variety to fill a solid half-day—especially if you go early and follow a simple loop plan. If you want the best experience: arrive in the morning, prioritize your must-sees first, and respect the last-entry cutoff.
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