Beijing Zoo

Beijing Zoo is a historic zoological park located in Xicheng District, Beijing, China. Established in 1906 during the late Qing dynasty, it holds the distinction of being the oldest zoo in China and the oldest public park in northern China. Beyond its role as a popular tourist attraction, the zoo serves as a significant center for zoological research, focusing on the study and breeding of rare animals from across the globe.

History and Development

The grounds of Beijing Zoo were initially part of an imperial manor during the Ming dynasty and later became an estate during the Qing dynasty. In 1906, the Imperial Ministry for Agricultural, Industry and Commerce established an experimental farm on this land, which included a botanical garden and a small menagerie. This menagerie, comprising animals largely purchased from Germany, is considered China's earliest public zoo. The farm opened to visitors in 1908 and was known as the Wanshouyuan, or "Garden of Ten Thousand Beasts." The zoo's architecture reflects its history, featuring classical Chinese garden elements alongside structures like Changguanlou, a well-preserved Baroque-style palace built in 1908.

Following the overthrow of the Qing dynasty, the zoo transitioned into a national botanical garden. It faced significant challenges during the Second Sino-Japanese War, with many animals perishing due to neglect and deliberate poisoning by occupying forces. After the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the zoo underwent a period of rebuilding and expansion. It was renamed Beijing Zoo in 1955, and its collection was augmented through exchanges with Eastern Bloc countries and donations from zoos like the Moscow Zoo. The zoo also developed an off-site breeding center near the Ming Tombs.

The Cultural Revolution brought a halt to the zoo's development and international collaborations. However, in the 1970s, as China forged diplomatic ties with Western countries, the zoo received animals from various nations and organized expeditions to Africa, greatly expanding its collection. In recent decades, Beijing Zoo has maintained an active breeding program, successfully producing offspring of numerous species, including critically endangered ones.

Collection and Features

Beijing Zoo occupies an area of 89 hectares (220 acres), including picturesque lakes and ponds. It is home to one of the largest animal collections in China, featuring over 450 species of land animals and over 500 species of marine animals. The zoo is particularly celebrated for its collection of rare Chinese endemic species, with giant pandas being its most popular attraction. Other notable native animals include red pandas, golden snub-nosed monkeys, South China tigers, white-lipped deer, Père David's deer, crested ibises, Chinese alligators, and Chinese giant salamanders. The zoo also houses a variety of other endangered and threatened species, such as Siberian tigers, snow leopards, and Przewalski's horses.

Complementing the zoological park is the Beijing Aquarium, situated on the northern bank of the Chang River. Opened in 1999, it is the largest aquarium in China, showcasing a vast array of fish and marine mammals, and offering performances by dolphins, belugas, and sea lions.

Visitor Experience and Research

With grounds designed to resemble classical Chinese gardens, Beijing Zoo offers visitors a blend of natural scenery with flower beds, dense groves of trees, meadows, streams, lotus pools, and hills dotted with pavilions and historical buildings. The zoo's infrastructure includes over 30 large halls dedicated to various animal groups, such as the Elephant Hall, Lion-Tiger Hall, Monkey Hall, and Panda Hall. It attracts over five million visitors annually.

The zoo actively participates in conservation efforts, maintaining breeding programs for endangered species. It also fosters research collaborations with leading Chinese universities, focusing on animal behavior and breeding initiatives. Despite its historical and scientific importance, the zoo has faced controversies, including reports of exotic animal dishes being served at an on-site restaurant, which drew criticism for being inappropriate for a zoological institution.