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Best zoo destinations in Asia

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Asahikawa
Asahiyama Zoo, shoyu ramen and sake
7.8
Cold air and fresh snow greet the king penguins on their winter walk at Asahiyama Zoo. Keepers lead them on a short parade through the crowd. Seals swim through a clear vertical tube in their tank. Polar bears dive right beside the glass. The zoo closes for a few weeks in spring and autumn.
Highlights:
  • 🍜 Sample Hokkaido’s rich miso ramen at local noodle shops
  • ❄️ Admire winter ice sculptures at the famous Asahikawa Winter Festival
  • 🐧 Watch playful penguins during the winter march at Asahiyama Zoo
Taipei
A vibrant blend of old and new
9.0
At about 165 hectares, the city zoo is more than ten times the size of Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. The Panda House has giant pandas, including Yuan Zai, born here in 2013. Koalas sleep in a cool indoor hall. A shuttle train runs up the hillside. The Maokong Gondola starts at the zoo gate.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Relax and soak in the Beitou hot springs
  • 🍢 Wander through the bustling Shilin Night Market and try local snacks
  • 🏙️ Take in the skyline views from the Taipei 101 observatory
Chengdu
Pandas, Hotpot and Laid-back Vibes
8.2
Early mornings are feeding time at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Pandas eat bamboo and play most in the cool hours after opening. Arrive right when the gates open for the busiest scenes. The nursery has young cubs behind glass. Red pandas roam a shady forest area nearby.
Highlights:
  • 🍜 Stroll through Kuanzhai Alley for culture and food
  • 🏯 Explore historic Wuhou Shrine and Zhuge Liang’s legacy
  • 🐼 Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Pandas
Beijing
Ancient history meets modern dynamism
8.9
The zoo is in the Xicheng district, just west of the old city centre. Its Panda House has giant pandas in indoor and outdoor yards. Beijing Aquarium is inside the zoo grounds. Boats leave from a dock near the gate and follow a canal to the Summer Palace. The subway stops right outside.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 Explore the Summer Palace’s gardens and lakeside pavilions
  • 🧱 Climb the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu
  • 🏯 Walk across Tiananmen Square and visit the Forbidden City
Dubai
Glamour, Adventure and Desert Charm
9.2
Malls are where many local families spend hot afternoons. The Dubai Mall has an aquarium tank with sharks and rays. A glass tunnel runs right under the water. The Underwater Zoo upstairs has crocodiles and penguins. Dubai Safari Park is best in the cooler months from October to April, with open drives past giraffes.
Highlights:
  • 🏜️ Take a desert safari and ride camels over golden dunes
  • ⛷️ Shop and ski inside the Dubai Mall and Ski Dubai
  • 🏙️ Ascend the Burj Khalifa and watch the city from above
Singapore Zoo
World’s Best Rainforest Zoo
This zoo opened in 1973 with moats and plants in place of most cages. Orangutans swing through open treetops above the paths. Breakfast with the orangutans is a daily event many families book. The zoo is on the edge of the Upper Seletar Reservoir. Night Safari next door opens after dark for nocturnal animals.
Highlights:
  • 🦓 Watch animal feedings and keeper talks daily
  • 🌳 Explore the immersive Fragile Forest biodome
  • 🍌 Join the Jungle Breakfast with orangutans
Ueno Zoo
Japan's oldest zoo beside a pagoda
Shinobazu Pond is on the west side of this zoo, where pelicans and cormorants nest. Gorilla Woods has a family group in a forest setting. A night house shows the aye-aye, a rare lemur from Madagascar. The zoo opened in 1882 and is the oldest in Japan. Tickets for adults cost 600 yen.
Highlights:
  • 🦍 Visit Japan's oldest zoo and its gorillas
  • 🦓 Spot rare animals like the okapi and shoebill
  • 🌳 Stroll through Ueno Park and around Shinobazu Pond
Ocean Park Hong Kong
Thrilling Marine-Themed Adventure
A cable car links the Waterfront and the Summit high above the South China Sea. Giant pandas Ying Ying and Le Le live in the park. Their twin cubs were born here in 2024. The Grand Aquarium has a huge viewing window full of sharks and rays. Polar Adventure has penguins and walruses.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Explore the expansive marine life exhibits and aquariums
  • 🐬 Watch the entertaining dolphin and sea lion shows
  • 🎢 Ride the thrilling roller coasters and water rides
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