China - a huge, fascinating country with breathtaking nature and an incredible number of cultural highlights. A country that has undergone incredible change in recent decades. This change is also clearly noticeable with regard to the zoological institutions in China, even breathtaking in some cases - and not always in a positive sense.
In the near future, I will be presenting some well-known data and news from Chinese zoological institutions. I have visited some of these facilities myself, others were kindly described by various zoo chatters. Perhaps the following information from old and new press reports will also help those travelers who would like to visit the respective provinces in the future. Even if it is often not easy for foreign tourists to visit such institutions.
Anqing
Anqing Zoo - 30°31'15.02 "N 117° 2'55.91 "E
During the late Qing Dynasty, Ling Hu Park was a private garden. In the 1920s, the garden became the first public park in Anhui Province as Anhui Provincial Park. The park is located in the city center - not far from the Yangtze River. The 0.9-hectare zoo was established here in 1956. The animal population includes - as is very common in smaller Chinese zoos - tigers, lions, wolves, hippos, zebras, sika deer, alpacas, ostriches, cranes and, of course, numerous peacocks. The large waterfowl aviary, which is common in China, is home to whooper swans, black swans, geese and ducks. In addition to a monkey house, visitors will of course also find the “Monkey Mountain” with numerous macaques. Crocodiles, iguanas, snakes and fish are kept in narrow tanks in an aquarium/terrarium.
Anqing Wildlife Park - 30°29'45.94 "N116°57'13.58 "E
The first construction phase of the new zoo was opened on October 1, 2019. And then China was hit by the Covid19 pandemic and further planning came to a standstill. Instead of the expected 5,000 visitors, only around 500 came to
on May 1, 2020. I am not aware of any further details. Perhaps someone can give me more information about this facility
Anqing, Yueshan Safari Park - 30°35'36.55 "N116°54'9.18 "E
This park has been planned since 2021. It is to be built approx. 22 km northwest of Anqing and the first partial opening was planned for 2022. Here too, the pandemic seems to have put a stop to the plans.
Anqing, Sea World - 30°30'56.16 "N 117° 4'16.59 "E
The aquarium was opened on the ground floor of the Anqing Quyue Plaza shopping center on 23 Dec. 2016 and is home to arapaimas, sturgeons, 7 species of jellyfish, crocodiles, chipmunks, budgerigars, sea lions, seals and, in an aquarium with an approx. 30 m long underwater tunnel, white-tip reef sharks, among others
Bengbu
Bengbu, Zhang Gong Shan Park Zoo - 32°55'26.21"N117°19'57.97"E
As early as 1956, a small zoo was established in Nanshan Park with animals from a private circus. At that time, it was the second largest zoo in Anhui Province and, at times, housed lions, tigers, leopards, red-crowned cranes, and even elephants and giraffes, among others. In June 1987, the facility was relocated to Zhang Gong Shan Park and now houses tigers, bears, sea lions, camels, alpacas, and deer, as well as a large number of waterfowl and peacocks. In April 2007, the small zoo acquired the Asian elephant "Yingzhu," and on May 31, 2018, the approximately 30-year-old elephant "Huan Huan" arrived at the zoo. After the first calls for a new zoo were heard in 2013, the city authorities were asked in 2019 to consider building a new zoo on the northwest side of Yilu Mountain. Presumably for cost reasons, a renovation of the outdated zoo was brought forward, and the park was temporarily closed on December 17, 2024. After extensive renovations and the acquisition of capybaras, meerkats, coatis, prairie dogs, and ponies, it was reopen on April 22, 2025.
Dangtu
Anhui Daqingshan Wildlife World - 31°30'18.56"N 118°30'8.41"E
This new park, located in a former quarry, was opend on October 1, 2020. It is located approximately 10 km from the town of Dangtu and approximately 80 km south of Nanjing. Five giraffes, ten zebras, four red pandas, sea lions, and ostriches arrived at the park a year before its opening.
Fuyang
Fuyang Ecological Park - 32°55'55.04"N 115°47'15.78"E
On May 1, 2002, Fuyang Ecological Park opened as a 37-hectare botanical garden, 8 km north of the 8 million-strong city of Fuyang. A small zoo with enclosures for camels, zebras, sika deer, and ostriches was built in the northeast of the park. A Beasts Pavilion for tigers, a Bird Park, and a Giant Panda Pavilion were built in 2020. Much to the delight of visitors, the giant panda "Lesheng" arrived at the park on November 10, 2011, from the well-known breeding station in Ya'an. However, the animal did not stay in Fuyang for long: "Lesheng" was returned to Sichuan in December 2012. Animals probably do not fit into the park's concept, as the enclosures for camels, deer, and zebras, as well as the large flight aviary, were demolished at the end of 2022 - as you can observe on Google Maps
Fuyang Wildlife Park - 32°58'34.34"N115°54'33.20"E
In November 2018, 12 giraffes and 6 zebras arrived in Fuyang. In April 2019, 25 Siberian tigers were acquired. However, these animals were not intended for the aforementioned Fuyang Ecological Park, but rather were housed in the new Fuyang Wildlife Park. This privately run park is located only about 15 km from Fuyang Ecological Park and was opened on May 1, 2021. As early as March 2024, a press release shocked friends of the wildlife park, reporting on various disputes within the zoo administration and the deaths of a large number of wild animals, including 20 Siberian tigers, two lions, and three giraffes.
Hefei Longqi Bird Park – 31°49'12.78"N 117°23'8.55"E
The 13-hectare park was opened in 2022 with, among other things, three large tropical houses and was already closed in May 2023. According to press reports, the park's management is accused of illegal activities. The demolition of the buildings can be clearly seen on Google Maps.
Hefei Polar Sea World - 31°47'1.11"N 117°12'38.63"E
合肥汉海极地海洋世界有限公司
The facility opened on September 28, 2008. A few days before the opening, one false killer whale and one Risso's dolphin arrived. In April 2009, the aquarium acquired two emperor penguins from Nanjing Underwater World. Construction work for the third phase will begin in October 2024 - by 2027, a new Dolphin Hall for 3,000 spectators, as well as Fish, Ocean and Polar Halls for polar bears, walruses, polar wolves and emperor penguins, among others, are to be built.
Hefei Wildlife Park - 31°50'2.93"N117°9'39.61"E
Photos of this park are available at ZooChat Media
The 54-hectare park opened in April 1997. A special feature of the park is a 492-meter-long pedestrian bridge from which visitors can observe lions, wolves, bears, and African wild dogs. On January 22, 2017, the park acquired 3.3 golden snub-nosed monkeys. The animals came from the Tongling City Zoo (which will be reported on later). In July 2020, the first breeding success for this rare species in this park was reported. The coronavirus pandemic has prompted the park to implement the following measures for the Chinese National Day on October 1, 2022 (the founding of the People's Republic of China in October 1949): visitors are only allowed to enter Hefei Wildlife Park with a prior reservation, wearing a mask, and undergoing a COVID-19 test; body temperatures will also be taken. The maximum number of visitors is limited to 42,000 people. After discussions about establishing a new zoo began in May 2019, according to a press report from January 2024, the park will remain, but construction of a new zoo in Feidong County, Anhui, will begin this year.
This is the first part of the zoological facilities in Anhui Province. I would be delighted to receive comments and, above all, additions. I'm sure some zoo chatters have already visited these facilities and can add any additional information, photos, and maps. Thank you very much.
In the near future, I will be presenting some well-known data and news from Chinese zoological institutions. I have visited some of these facilities myself, others were kindly described by various zoo chatters. Perhaps the following information from old and new press reports will also help those travelers who would like to visit the respective provinces in the future. Even if it is often not easy for foreign tourists to visit such institutions.
Anqing
Anqing Zoo - 30°31'15.02 "N 117° 2'55.91 "E
During the late Qing Dynasty, Ling Hu Park was a private garden. In the 1920s, the garden became the first public park in Anhui Province as Anhui Provincial Park. The park is located in the city center - not far from the Yangtze River. The 0.9-hectare zoo was established here in 1956. The animal population includes - as is very common in smaller Chinese zoos - tigers, lions, wolves, hippos, zebras, sika deer, alpacas, ostriches, cranes and, of course, numerous peacocks. The large waterfowl aviary, which is common in China, is home to whooper swans, black swans, geese and ducks. In addition to a monkey house, visitors will of course also find the “Monkey Mountain” with numerous macaques. Crocodiles, iguanas, snakes and fish are kept in narrow tanks in an aquarium/terrarium.
Anqing Wildlife Park - 30°29'45.94 "N116°57'13.58 "E
The first construction phase of the new zoo was opened on October 1, 2019. And then China was hit by the Covid19 pandemic and further planning came to a standstill. Instead of the expected 5,000 visitors, only around 500 came to
on May 1, 2020. I am not aware of any further details. Perhaps someone can give me more information about this facility
Anqing, Yueshan Safari Park - 30°35'36.55 "N116°54'9.18 "E
This park has been planned since 2021. It is to be built approx. 22 km northwest of Anqing and the first partial opening was planned for 2022. Here too, the pandemic seems to have put a stop to the plans.
Anqing, Sea World - 30°30'56.16 "N 117° 4'16.59 "E
The aquarium was opened on the ground floor of the Anqing Quyue Plaza shopping center on 23 Dec. 2016 and is home to arapaimas, sturgeons, 7 species of jellyfish, crocodiles, chipmunks, budgerigars, sea lions, seals and, in an aquarium with an approx. 30 m long underwater tunnel, white-tip reef sharks, among others
Bengbu
Bengbu, Zhang Gong Shan Park Zoo - 32°55'26.21"N117°19'57.97"E
As early as 1956, a small zoo was established in Nanshan Park with animals from a private circus. At that time, it was the second largest zoo in Anhui Province and, at times, housed lions, tigers, leopards, red-crowned cranes, and even elephants and giraffes, among others. In June 1987, the facility was relocated to Zhang Gong Shan Park and now houses tigers, bears, sea lions, camels, alpacas, and deer, as well as a large number of waterfowl and peacocks. In April 2007, the small zoo acquired the Asian elephant "Yingzhu," and on May 31, 2018, the approximately 30-year-old elephant "Huan Huan" arrived at the zoo. After the first calls for a new zoo were heard in 2013, the city authorities were asked in 2019 to consider building a new zoo on the northwest side of Yilu Mountain. Presumably for cost reasons, a renovation of the outdated zoo was brought forward, and the park was temporarily closed on December 17, 2024. After extensive renovations and the acquisition of capybaras, meerkats, coatis, prairie dogs, and ponies, it was reopen on April 22, 2025.
Dangtu
Anhui Daqingshan Wildlife World - 31°30'18.56"N 118°30'8.41"E
This new park, located in a former quarry, was opend on October 1, 2020. It is located approximately 10 km from the town of Dangtu and approximately 80 km south of Nanjing. Five giraffes, ten zebras, four red pandas, sea lions, and ostriches arrived at the park a year before its opening.
Fuyang
Fuyang Ecological Park - 32°55'55.04"N 115°47'15.78"E
On May 1, 2002, Fuyang Ecological Park opened as a 37-hectare botanical garden, 8 km north of the 8 million-strong city of Fuyang. A small zoo with enclosures for camels, zebras, sika deer, and ostriches was built in the northeast of the park. A Beasts Pavilion for tigers, a Bird Park, and a Giant Panda Pavilion were built in 2020. Much to the delight of visitors, the giant panda "Lesheng" arrived at the park on November 10, 2011, from the well-known breeding station in Ya'an. However, the animal did not stay in Fuyang for long: "Lesheng" was returned to Sichuan in December 2012. Animals probably do not fit into the park's concept, as the enclosures for camels, deer, and zebras, as well as the large flight aviary, were demolished at the end of 2022 - as you can observe on Google Maps
Fuyang Wildlife Park - 32°58'34.34"N115°54'33.20"E
In November 2018, 12 giraffes and 6 zebras arrived in Fuyang. In April 2019, 25 Siberian tigers were acquired. However, these animals were not intended for the aforementioned Fuyang Ecological Park, but rather were housed in the new Fuyang Wildlife Park. This privately run park is located only about 15 km from Fuyang Ecological Park and was opened on May 1, 2021. As early as March 2024, a press release shocked friends of the wildlife park, reporting on various disputes within the zoo administration and the deaths of a large number of wild animals, including 20 Siberian tigers, two lions, and three giraffes.
Hefei Longqi Bird Park – 31°49'12.78"N 117°23'8.55"E
The 13-hectare park was opened in 2022 with, among other things, three large tropical houses and was already closed in May 2023. According to press reports, the park's management is accused of illegal activities. The demolition of the buildings can be clearly seen on Google Maps.
Hefei Polar Sea World - 31°47'1.11"N 117°12'38.63"E
合肥汉海极地海洋世界有限公司
The facility opened on September 28, 2008. A few days before the opening, one false killer whale and one Risso's dolphin arrived. In April 2009, the aquarium acquired two emperor penguins from Nanjing Underwater World. Construction work for the third phase will begin in October 2024 - by 2027, a new Dolphin Hall for 3,000 spectators, as well as Fish, Ocean and Polar Halls for polar bears, walruses, polar wolves and emperor penguins, among others, are to be built.
Hefei Wildlife Park - 31°50'2.93"N117°9'39.61"E
Photos of this park are available at ZooChat Media
The 54-hectare park opened in April 1997. A special feature of the park is a 492-meter-long pedestrian bridge from which visitors can observe lions, wolves, bears, and African wild dogs. On January 22, 2017, the park acquired 3.3 golden snub-nosed monkeys. The animals came from the Tongling City Zoo (which will be reported on later). In July 2020, the first breeding success for this rare species in this park was reported. The coronavirus pandemic has prompted the park to implement the following measures for the Chinese National Day on October 1, 2022 (the founding of the People's Republic of China in October 1949): visitors are only allowed to enter Hefei Wildlife Park with a prior reservation, wearing a mask, and undergoing a COVID-19 test; body temperatures will also be taken. The maximum number of visitors is limited to 42,000 people. After discussions about establishing a new zoo began in May 2019, according to a press report from January 2024, the park will remain, but construction of a new zoo in Feidong County, Anhui, will begin this year.
This is the first part of the zoological facilities in Anhui Province. I would be delighted to receive comments and, above all, additions. I'm sure some zoo chatters have already visited these facilities and can add any additional information, photos, and maps. Thank you very much.