Xi'an Baishiyunju Homestay (Qinling Wildlife Park Branch)

The zoo is clean, tidy, and well maintained for people, with paths, gardens, shops, and other facilities. The same care isn't given to the animals. Almost all are in tiny concrete enclosures with no real vegetation. The chimpanzees look imprisoned, and the wolves, panthers, and other “beasts of prey” (their label) seem locked in jail cells. They have nowhere to walk or move around, just a 2m by 2m concrete box to sit in.

I had a great day at Qingling Wildlife Park with friends. The park is huge, so get there early if you want enough time. It takes about two hours to travel from Xi'an, but I thought it was worth it. Tickets were 140 RMB for adults and 100 RMB for students. There are lots of animals, including Siberian tigers, lions, giraffes, elephants, and pandas, along with other attractions like a water park, roller coaster, and 5D cinema. The grounds are green and scenic, with food stalls, restrooms, and places to sit. Staff were friendly and helpful. There are also educational exhibits and presentations about animal habitats, behavior, and conservation. The park says it uses solar energy for some facilities and has waste reduction and recycling programs. At the entrance, you can take photos and explore different areas. One gate leads to the games park, while another road takes you to buses for the open wildlife park. The bus trip lasts about 30-40 minutes, and you can see wild animals roaming freely in their habitats. It doesn't stop at particular spots, so I recommend recording the trip on your phone or camera. Once the bus drops you back at the park, there's the rest of the day to walk around, eat, take photos, play games, and enjoy the scenery. It's a nice way to relax away from city life, and I highly recommend a visit.

The bus passes the lions, tigers, and some of the best animals pretty quickly without stopping. Waiting in such a long line to board didn't feel worth it.

A great zoo, especially famous for its white Panda.