Located in the Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area, nestled between the mountains and the sea, it is divided into two parts: the first phase of the captive breeding area and the second phase of the free-range breeding area (wild grazing area).
The fun activities such as the geese flying in a flock, seal performances, black bear boxing and chimpanzee humor performances are very popular among tourists.
The park has over 200 species of animals, totaling 3,000 individuals, including many nationally protected species and rare animals imported from abroad.
Here you can visit a variety of captive and free-range animals, and have close contact with cute and docile alpacas and other animals.
There is also a tropical rainforest pavilion in the free-range area, which includes four major scenic areas: tropical rainforest, desert landscape, tropical fruit trees, and people and nature.
Attractions Location: No. 60, Yingchun Road, Nanshidao Street, Xigang District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province
Tickets:
Regular ticket: 120 RMB (Monday to Sunday, April 1st - October 31st)
Regular ticket: RMB 100 (Monday to Sunday, November 1st - March 31st of the following year)
Half-price ticket: Minors aged 6-18; full-time university undergraduate students and below; seniors aged 60-69 enjoy half-price discount.
Free of charge: Children 6 years old and below, 1.3 meters in height and below; senior citizens 70 years old and above; active military personnel, disabled military personnel, retired military personnel, and persons with disabilities who present valid identification cards are free of charge.
Electric bike: RMB 20
Opening hours:
09:00-16:00 (Monday-Sunday, January 1st-December 31st)
Contact Details: 0411-82476998
Time reference: More than 3 hours
Spend a day exploring Dalian's green landmark. Dalian Forest Zoo is home to pandas, Siberian tigers, giraffes, and a large botanical garden.
Accommodation/Food: Stay at Holiday Inn Express Dalian Forest Zoo or the nearby Jinshu Garden Hotel. Dinner at Zhengyang Road: try local seafood noodles or rice with stir‑fried vegetables.
Souvenirs: Panda plush toys, zoo branded postcards, forest‑themed magnets, animal footprint stamps.
This itinerary pairs the zoo with Dalian's famous coastal attractions for a blend of wildlife and seaside relaxation.
Accommodation/Food: Stay near Ocean Park: Seaside Blues Hotel or Intercontinental Dalian. Try seafood barbecue, Dalian cold noodles or shrimp dumplings.
Souvenirs: Ocean Park plush whales, seashell art, tiger figurines.
This plan connects wildlife with cultural and historical experiences in Dalian.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Zhongshan District at Kempinski or Kempinski‑style boutique hotels. Eat Manchurian seafood stew or local dumplings at Zhongshan Road.
Souvenirs: Russian dolls, tram postcards, art prints, local snacks (sea cucumbers, dried scallops).
Add natural park leisure to the mix alongside the zoo and beach attractions.
Accommodation/Food: Stay overnight in Jinshitan at Jinshitan Golden Bay Hotel. Enjoy grilled oysters, beach coconut drinks, and seafood porridge.
Souvenirs: Hand‑polished beach stones, dinosaur souvenirs, wax museum postcards.
This itinerary incorporates relaxation with hot springs after exploring wildlife and scenery.
Accommodation/Food: Stay at Tanghe Hot Spring Hotel or resort. Dinner features nourishing herbal soups, spa cuisines, mountain tea.
Souvenirs: Hot spring lotions, mineral bath salt packages, spa gift sets.
A comprehensive week covering zoo, ocean park, scenic roads, cultural sites, beaches, and wellness.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Dalian city centre (Friendship Hotel or boutique). Sample Russian‑style pastries, local street food stalls.
Souvenirs: Museum catalogues, postcards, Russian cookies, local candies.
Wrap up your week with leisure markets, revisits to favorite attractions, and slow scenic moments.
Accommodation/Food: Stay final night in downtown Dalian. Try street skewers, cold beer, ice‑cream along the promenade.
Souvenirs: Local seafood jams, ice‑cream cones, embroidered scarves, handcrafted fans, market‑bought gifts.
Stop 144: Dalian Forest Zoo. AAAA rating, 120 yuan admission, no inspection required. If visiting after November, be sure to enter through the South Gate. The free-range area offers a chance to see pandas and feed alpacas, zebras, ostriches, goats, and sika deer. The close encounters are truly delightful. Before arriving, buy some cheap Chinese cabbage or carrots, cut into thin strips, and bring a few large bags with you. You can keep the animals entertained while you play and feed them—it's a great way to spend the day with the kids. Avoid entering through the North Gate enclosure. Not only are the elephant shows, crocodile pond, and bird park closed for the winter, but the hike up the mountain to the free-range area is exhausting. Overall, the staff are happy to let you feed the animals as you please, which makes children feel at ease.
In the African Herbivore Area, visitors can have close contact with herbivores such as giraffes, zebras, ostriches and oryxes, and experience the enthusiasm of the African grasslands; in the Alpaca Square, groups of cute and adorable beasts will accompany you, resting and playing with visitors; in the Australian Kangaroo Park, visitors can say hello to Australia's national treasures - kangaroos and emus; in the Beast Area, visitors can experience the wildness of Siberian tigers, African lions and black bears up close.
Located at No. 60 Yingchun Road, Xigang District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, it is located in Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area. Those who like small animals can take a look.
It's okay to bring children, but there is no need to go there specifically for fun. It's just the construction of a normal zoo.
I passed by the door but didn't go in to see it, but I saw a Ferris wheel inside.
We only browsed through 2 issues, and it felt very good. The baby was very happy watching it. If you have the energy, you can go to 1 issue.
I went there during the May Day holiday. I first visited the free-range area. It was my first time seeing anteaters, which was quite a novelty. After exploring the first section, I went to the second section and took the train. I actually thought it was quite fast, but it was packed with people. I waited for over an hour before getting on, which took about 10 minutes. It seems this zoo is only accessible by train or on foot; there are no private cars. Because there were so many people walking, I didn't see much. I also didn't think there were many animals, perhaps because I've been to so many zoos.
After getting off the train, it's a short walk to the exit, which is okay. When it's crowded and hot, I want to walk less with my kids, haha. The food in the park is too expensive. A skewer of grilled squid is 30 yuan, and grilled corn is 10 yuan, which tastes good. The squid is expensive and tastes bad. The same grilled squid is 10 yuan a skewer at Tiger Beach Ocean Park.
There is a broken branch on the sightseeing plank road. It is hanging on a small branch and may fall at any time. Please pay attention to it when you pass by. Please ask the staff to deal with it as soon as possible.
When you go to Dalian Forest Zoo, you must feed the alpacas. You can get close to the strolling alpacas in the small animal interactive area.
Generally speaking, alpacas are very docile and like to eat carrots. Dudu and I secretly brought some cut carrots to
But under some circumstances, they will spit at you.
It is said to be the largest zoo in China with a wide variety of animals. The only drawback is that you have to take an electric car to get out, or walk along the winding mountain road.
I really have no interest in this kind of forest zoo. I went there with my wife's former boss's family. Apart from seeing all kinds of birds and animals, there were only some animal shows.
The park is quite large, but the feeling is average, that's it.
A colleague who had visited Dalian recommended the Dalian Forest Zoo to me. She took her children there, and they were fascinated. The zoo is incredibly large, with both free-range and captive areas, where the animals literally walk right past you. When she mentioned it, it felt like I was walking through a forest, with the animals running around me—like a natural, wild place. So, I was quite tempted!
Love the lush greenery inside.
The Giant Panda Pavilion was a bit of a gamble, as the pandas were all asleep when we visited. After all, they are national treasures, so a sleeping panda is worth seeing, right?
I didn’t manage to visit the valley bottom garden due to lack of energy, but it was still so beautiful when viewed from the bridge.
The zoo has separate enclosures and captive areas. The free-range area is home to many larger animals. Entering through the south gate, it's recommended to walk on your own. If you take the tour bus, you won't be allowed to stop until the end. In the free-range area, alpacas interact with people, allowing you to pet and take photos with them, free of charge. The tour bus costs 20 yuan per person and doesn't stop along the way. The captive area is accessible via the hop-on, hop-off bus. Therefore, it's strongly recommended to avoid the bus during the second phase, as it prevents you from interacting with the animals. If you feel tired after reaching the captive area, you can take an electric car.
You can go all the way through the free-range area by simply following the recommended route. If you're not pressed for time, take your time and relax. Each area offers a new and exciting experience, with docile alpacas, beautiful zebras and giraffes, majestic black bears, quiet and elegant swans, and a wide variety of unique monkeys. Being so close to the animals is truly relaxing. Also, avoid the electric cars, as you'll just watch others interact with the animals while you can't even get a close look. There are giraffes, alpacas, sika deer, and even black bears. Although it's a zoo, it doesn't smell at all. The bears, tigers, lions, and other animals are all clean, plentiful, and full of life, unlike other zoos where there are only one or two animals lazing around and looking dirty. This is truly an animal paradise, with both mountains and water. We walked up the plank road in the free-range area. I can't remember how long we walked, but it was comparable to hiking!
Although they are said to be free-range, animals like zebras, giraffes, sika deer, and black bears are still surrounded by wooden fences. Only small animals like docile alpacas are truly free-range, and you can interact with them closely!
We went there on August 18th and entered from the south gate. We walked the whole way with our 7-year-old child. It felt okay and not as tiring as we imagined. To enter the zoo, we first walked in from the sightseeing wooden plank road on the right hand side of Flamingo Square. Just walk along the road. There are places to eat in the Kangaroo Garden. They mainly serve cold noodles for 15 yuan, cold noodles for 28 yuan, and hot noodles for 38 yuan. We had some cold noodles and they were delicious. It took us two hours to walk to the end of the free-range area, and then we took the escalator to the enclosure area. The escalator was built along the mountain and was very long. When we entered the enclosure area, we saw the sign for the Elephant Behavior Hall. It was a 5-minute walk away, just in time for the 1 o'clock show. It was Saturday There are more performances on day than on weekdays. After the show, we played for a while in the Dinosaur Valley next to it, which is a small square with a few large dinosaur models. We did not go inside to see the Happy Theater. The Happy Theater has fewer performances, with only three on Saturdays and Sundays. If you want to watch it, you have to wait until three o'clock in the afternoon. We took the escalator back to the free-range area. Please note that you do not have to go the same way on the return trip. You can take the road to the Primate House and the Ring-tailed Lemur House. This road is closer. In front of the Primate House, there are the Panda House, the Small Animal Village, and the Reptile House. After visiting all these, we arrived at the Flamingo Square. The tour route is exactly an oval, and we had a lot of fun overall.
It’s a very big zoo with many animals. The biggest surprise was seeing the pandas that didn’t sleep. They were so cute!
The Dalian Forest Zoo is a newly built zoo with modern facilities and a wide variety of animals, offering opportunities for close encounters with many of them. It's a must-see when visiting Dalian.
The north gate entrance leads to the Phase I enclosure. A combined ticket for Phases I and II is 115 yuan online, with children under 1.3 meters free. Both Phases I and II offer electric carts, priced at 20 yuan per person. The difference is that the Phase II carts don't stop, while the Phase I carts offer hop-on, hop-off convenience. Therefore, we strongly recommend avoiding the carts in Phase II, as you won't be able to interact with the animals. If you feel tired after walking to Phase I, you can take an electric cart tour.
In general, Dalian Forest Zoo is worth spending a day with your children to have close contact with various animals.
I recommend entering through the South Gate (Phase II) and exiting through the North Gate (Phase I). Bus No. 5 goes directly to the park's South Gate. This zoo is built on a hill and is quite large. I personally don't think it's necessary to visit, but if you're curious, you can take a look.
Personally, I think it is not suitable for a couple to come here. If you are traveling in a group of friends or with children, you can come and have a look.
If you want to feed the animals, you can choose to walk by yourself and watch along the way. But there is actually nothing worth stopping for. It is better to take a sightseeing bus to visit all the way. Walking by yourself is quite tiring, maybe because I walked too much the day before.
We started our tour from the free-range area after entering through the South Gate. We were exhausted by the time we exited the free-range area. We chose to take a sightseeing bus to the captive area. It cost 20 yuan per person and you could get on and off as often as you wanted. Don't lose your ticket. You could get off at a stop, play around, and then get on another bus to the next stop. One stop was to the North Gate of the zoo. Tell the driver where you want to go in advance.
It is highly recommended to add this place to your itinerary when traveling to Dalian
I'm particularly drawn to the patterns in the rock paintings. It feels like a real adventure, and I think it's even more appealing to children.
Walk from Xinghai Square to the zoo, walk along the wooden plank road, face the sea breeze, and enjoy the sea view. Then go to the zoo to see the animals. It is a very suitable route for a day trip.
A very large zoo that has been operating for many years.
No one, too few people, it's cold and deserted
Ah
The wildlife park is really much better than the captive animals, but the hard part is that I had to climb several hills to visit the whole zoo, and then took the cable car down.
It is still worth a visit. The scenic area is very large and there are really a lot of animals. It is suitable for children to play. There are also many cute little animal sculptures in it, which are very cute.
I spent two days in Dalian, one of which I spent at the zoo. My previous visit was so wonderful, and I thoroughly enjoyed it this time. I personally felt the enclosures were unnecessary. We spent four hours just exploring the free-range area, and we were exhausted. The enclosures weren't worth the extra effort. Overexertion can also affect your mood and experience. I also think we should be wary of animal performances. Seeing the monkeys doing somersaults and the black bears bowing in the free-range area was heartbreaking. They seemed to be suffering while the other animals were playing freely. If you enjoy plants, the Rainforest Reptile House is worth a visit, but it's optional. The Giant Panda House was a bit of a gamble; the pandas were all asleep when we visited, so it was completely pointless and a waste of time. The small animal village is suitable for children, but the smell was too bad. I didn't get to visit the Valley Garden due to time constraints, which was a huge regret, as the view from the bridge was so beautiful. Throughout the free-range area, just follow the recommended route. If you wisely choose not to visit the captive areas, relax and enjoy the scenery. Meek alpacas, beautiful zebras and giraffes, majestic tigers, quiet and elegant swans, and a wide variety of unique monkeys offer a new and exciting experience at every turn. Such close encounters with animals are truly relaxing. Also, absolutely avoid electric cars, as you'll be forced to watch others interact with the animals while you're unable to get a closer look.
It is highly recommended for parents with children. Adults will also gain a lot from going there. If you have enough physical strength, it is recommended to go early in the morning, take a break at noon when you are tired, and then go shopping in the afternoon. Our children are relatively young and need to take a nap at noon, so we haven't visited many places yet. We will go again if we have the chance.
#Transportation# Everyone, please note: The North Gate is on the mountain! There's no free shuttle bus down the mountain. We tourists are usually too exhausted to walk down the mountain after touring the South Gate, so there's a bus that costs 20 yuan per person and children are free for the return trip. No wonder so many people go back to the South Gate. If you take a taxi at the North Gate, the driver will charge an extra 20 yuan. That's how they charge at the main gate, so it's hard to get a taxi. So either go back or add the 20 yuan. Feeling energetic? Walk down the mountain on your own.
This is a very suitable zoo for parents and children. You can see all kinds of animals. The elephant show is especially good. Dalian welcomes you, tourists from afar!
You must go through the south gate of the zoo. Bring some carrots or there are villagers selling them at the bus stop, 10 yuan per bag, which is also very suitable. If possible, don't take the sightseeing bus, the price is not expensive, 20 yuan per person. The main route is through the free-range area, and you cannot get off the bus in the middle. You will miss the animals you can interact with, and the sightseeing bus only drives less than a quarter of the entire park, which is quite useless.
Of course, everything about the zoo is great except for the sightseeing bus. It is very big. You can see pandas and insects at the gate, walk along the mountain road to the free-range area, waterfowl, wild animal area, elephant show or watch monkeys. The place is big but not messy, and it is well organized. It is worth a visit. If time is not particularly tight, it is best not to arrange other heavy activities on this day, as it will be very tiring.
It's big and nice. There are the most types of monkeys🐵. The cubs in the small animal village are particularly cute *^o^*. There are also alpacas of different colors. If the time is arranged reasonably, you can come here to play at 3 pm. You just need to walk and experience the feeling. The zoo does not allow tourists to feed food. I secretly fed the giraffe and sika deer. Hehe, it felt good. But don't buy souvenirs in the panda house. It's super expensive and a rip-off. Other things are okay.
I went to Dalian Forest Zoo a day later. I originally wanted to see the giant pandas, but who knew that this zoo was so big? It was really a journey across mountains and rivers. I stopped and walked all the way until I doubted my life.
Dalian Zoo is very famous, so I brought my family here to play this time.
It is really big inside, too big, especially the second phase grazing area, which is very large and spacious. If you take the scenic area car, you will just pass by and there is no way to get off to interact with the animals. But if you don’t take the car, it will be very tiring, especially on hot days, and going up and down the mountain is also something that the elderly need to consider.
There are many kinds of animals, but the park is too big and seems empty.
We rushed to see the 3:00 p.m. elephant show, but were disappointed. The schedule indicated it was starting at 3:00 p.m., and everyone arrived promptly. They then charged us 20 yuan per photo. Then, about a dozen staff members dressed like they were wearing flowers, selling popcorn and drinks. The whole place was lined up to pay for photos, and it lasted until 3:30 p.m.! For a full 30 minutes, 80% of the tourists just sat there waiting.
I waited until 3:30 and it started. The show was pretty good, although it was very simple. But after all, you don't usually see 🐘 shows. However, the show was only 15 minutes long and it was over very quickly. It was ridiculous. I waited for 30 minutes and watched for 15 minutes. It made me feel that it was not worth it. The purpose of making money was too strong.
There's nothing else to say. I read some reviews saying there wasn't much in the Polar Museum, but when I got there, I didn't expect there was only a polar bear and a group of penguins, that's all.
Overall the park is good, but the 120 yuan ticket price is not worth it.
The place is very big and the kids were very happy to see many animals. The only bad thing is the staff at the panda house store. If you stay there for a long time without buying anything or picking and choosing, they will say nasty things, which is very bad. Other than that, everything is great.
This is the best zoo I've ever been to! It's huge! And as you walk around, a deer will pass by. It's like being in a forest. There's even an area for alpacas. It's just amazing! Amazing! It couldn't be better!
Although every city has a zoo, since I am here, I still want to see the local
There are a lot of pigeons outside, and the children love them very much.
The park is built between the mountains. It is very large and can be visited for a whole day. There are also many animals.
Dalian Forest Zoo is located in the Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area in the south of Dalian City. It is home to more than 200 species of animals and is a national AAAA-level scenic spot, which is worth a visit.
I don't go to the zoo often, but since I love animals, I still enjoyed it. I went this summer. The zoo is divided into two phases, one on the mountain and the other on the lower level. Phase one on the mountain is mostly bird and animal shows. I initially went to the mountain entrance, the North Gate, but it was closed due to construction. I had to walk further up the mountain and take an electric car for 20 yuan per person. On the way up, I met a minivan driver who took me to the South Gate (the lower gate, also the main entrance) for 10 yuan per person. The ride took about 20 minutes. So if you're closer to the North Gate, I recommend taking a private minivan there, or going directly to the South Gate to avoid the extra cost and time. After buying your ticket, remember to ask the ticket inspector for a map; everyone should get one, but for some reason she didn't give me one... Once you enter the park, you can explore freely. Initially, there are several separate enclosures. After crossing the bridge, you'll head uphill. There's a small train for those who prefer to ride, especially if you're too lazy to walk or have mobility issues. I bought a ticket, but I personally don't think it's necessary, as the distance isn't far. The stops are well-spaced, and the intervals between trains are just enough for photos and sightings. Along the way, you can see zebras, giraffes, alpacas, antelopes, leopards, and other free-range animals. The train's final stop is the Kangaroo Park. After that, you'll begin your ascent uphill, a staircase path lined with swans and other water birds. Further up, you'll find the tiger enclosure, which I personally enjoyed. However, a word of caution: tigers typically sleep during the day, so if you visit during the day, they'll be quite quiet until the evening. At the end of the Tiger Park, there's a long escalator that leads to the upper section of the mountain, but I didn't use it because I was a bit short on time. I made a last-minute decision to visit the zoo, so I arrived at noon. So I walked back along the way from the Tiger Park, and passed by Monkey Mountain, where there are all kinds of monkeys, which are very cute. Walking along the Monkey Mountain, I returned to the starting point of the train. I almost finished the second phase, which took about 4 to 5 hours. Below are some photos of the animals I took. In short, my trip to the zoo was very enjoyable, and I hope you have a pleasant journey too!
It's just an ordinary zoo. Apart from the alpacas being the most outstanding, there's nothing special about the other animals. It's very average.
Black bears, lions, and leopards are obviously weaker animals. They have been artificially domesticated too heavily. There are only a few species of animals, and only a few of each type.
I thought the sightseeing cable car would take me to a more open area with wild animals playing around, and I thought I would drive there to see the sights. But it only takes you a little way up the road, and you will miss alpacas, giraffes, zebras, goats, camels and other "wild animals" along the way. I was really shocked and couldn't understand why this happened. It was the worst day in Dalian in the world, and I wasted an entire morning.
1. The sightseeing bus only takes you a short distance, but during this journey there are many animals that people can actually touch.
2. There are not many kinds of animals, and there is nothing more attractive than ordinary zoos
3. The ticket price is relatively high, adult ticket: 120, student ticket 60, I personally feel it is not worth it
But the Lotus Mountain next to the Forest Zoo is still acceptable. If you have time, you can go and see it. It has a 360-degree aerial view of Dalian. The view is better. It is the commanding height of Dalian city, like the Thousand Buddha Mountain in Jinan🤗🤗🤗
The picture below is a view of Dalian from Lianhua Mountain without any modification.
Dalian Forest Zoo is very large, with many animals and beautiful scenery. There are alpacas grazing around for close-up photos.
The scenic area is quite large. We were a bit tired in the afternoon, so we didn't see any of the giant tigers or lions! You should definitely leave plenty of time for a scenic visit, otherwise it's quite passive. We thought you could see the animals from the car in the wild animal area, but we didn't realize that was the case. 😂 The scenic area is huge, so leave enough energy. Overall, it's worth a visit. Student tickets are affordable.
I had a lot of fun and was very satisfied. I highly recommend it.
I haven't been here myself, only my classmates have been, but judging from the photos I took, it's worth a visit.
It's worth a visit. There seems to be scalpers at the door, who can buy one ticket for 80 yuan. When I went there, the North Gate was under construction, so be sure to check before you go, otherwise you have to take a bus to the South Gate after you get there. However, there are people who specialize in soliciting customers for 10 yuan each.
The zoo's biggest highlight is the abundance of monkeys, a wide variety of species, both captive and free-range! There are also several lazy giant pandas, a rare sight to see them up and about! It's a perfect place to visit with children. The park is quite large, so I recommend planning a full day to explore.
Recommended, great zoo. There are free-range animals. It's very big.
I've been to Dalian for two consecutive years, and the zoo is a must-see. My kids love it. Tip: The zoo is built into the hillside and covers a large area. When you arrive at the park, remember to pick up a map and show schedule at the visitor center to plan the best route so you don't miss any shows or have to backtrack.
Dalian's Forest Zoo is quite good. It's divided into Phase I and Phase II. It's where I first saw giant pandas. My personal recommendation is that if your city has a zoo and you're not specifically looking to see giant pandas, you can skip this attraction.
Once Asia's premier zoo, its remains are still visible today. Its proximity to Fujiazhuang Beach gives it a unique geographical advantage. Tickets are also very affordable. More than just a zoo, it's a relaxing place for the whole family.
There are many animals, and there are many free-range animals that you can get close to!
Although the forest park is located on a mountain, you don't need to climb the steep, high parts yourself. Four tall escalators connect and take you to the summit. I've climbed so many mountains, and this is the highest way to get there. The animals you see here are all in high definition. Even those hidden behind glass are clean and transparent, giving you a sense of close proximity. It's truly an intimate interaction with the animals, which makes children very happy. However, the mosquitoes are numerous and extremely poisonous. Be sure to bring mosquito repellent and take precautions, otherwise you'll be bitten horribly.
My family of three has an annual pass. If you come to Dalian, you should go to this forest zoo. It should be the best forest zoo in the three northeastern provinces.
The zoo is divided into two phases: Phase I and Phase II. Phase I is mostly captive, while Phase II is semi-free-range. There are many different animals, and many can be fed with feed, though it's a bit pricey. Don't buy carrots at the zoo entrance; you're not allowed to feed them once you're inside. The zoo is a bit smelly, so it's best to bring some food with you.
Dalian Forest Zoo is a high-quality zoo dedicated to "allowing humans to live in a pollution-free urban environment and animals to live in a natural environment free from human interference." Located in the Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area on the southern coast of Dalian, it covers an area of 7.2 square kilometers. The zoo is responsible for the breeding, scientific research, and exhibition of over 3,000 animals of over 200 species within the scenic area, as well as the maintenance and management of the park's green spaces, scenic forests, and other public facilities. In 2000, it became one of the first national AAAA-level scenic spots. In 2001, it obtained ISO9001 international quality management system and ISO14001 international environmental management system certifications. It has been recognized as a popular science education base by national, provincial, and municipal authorities.
We went to the second phase of the zoo. The panda enclosure, African animals, and ferocious animal areas were better, offering a good view of their movements and being the most popular areas. However, the other animals were kept in small cages behind thick glass, making them difficult to see clearly. If you have the energy, it's better to explore on your own (the train will miss some of the smaller animals). The scenery along the way was also quite nice. The tropical reptile enclosure wasn't very interesting; it was all small glass windows and the animals were all tiny, which was a bit disappointing. The greenery inside was much more beautiful. I didn't go to the first phase due to my lack of energy, and the brochure didn't captivate me.
If you go there in winter, the ticket prices are divided into peak season and off-season. The ticket prices will be cheaper after December, but it snows in Dalian in winter, so tropical animals will basically not be outside at that time.
The day we went, there was no one inside the park, and the shuttle was also empty, so we just walked around. The animals in the wild animal area were separated by wire mesh, so you could walk straight in along the main road. The tiger enclosure was great, and you were very close to the animals, but it was cold and deserted.
The Dalian Forest Zoo is truly enormous, like climbing an entire mountain. There are so many different kinds of animals, and they all look so lively. The monkeys, elephants, and pandas left the deepest impression on me; they're so adorable. Here's my itinerary: I arrived at 9:00 AM (I didn't enter through the main gate). Upon entering, I was greeted by majestic animals like sika deer and cows. Further inside, there's a large aviary filled with various birds. You can get up close and personal with them and take photos with beautiful peacocks. Further inside, there's a fascinating elephant show around 10:40 AM. Afterward, there's a circus show featuring puppies. Upon exiting, we saw several caged monkeys. We then walked to the other side of the mountain, which is much more fun. There are many more animals, including tigers, lions, alpacas (be careful, they'll spray you in the face), and giraffes. Okay, we've arrived at the monkey park! The monkeys are free-range, so don't mess with them, as they'll scratch you. Also, don't feed them; the staff will scold you. After that, we visited the tropical rainforest pavilion, which had snakes and other things. Finally, we saw the giant pandas, which were incredibly cute, their round, chubby bodies making you look just like you'd be. That was it for the day, so it was time to buy some souvenirs to take home!
The Dalian Forest Zoo is a must-see attraction in Dalian. Tickets are 120 yuan for adults and 60 yuan for students. Even though it's only April, it's already packed. On the right side of the entrance, you'll find the Tropical Rainforest and Panda Pavilions. Let's explore those first. After exiting, walk along the path. There are many open-air enclosures for cows, sheep, giraffes, and, of course, alpacas. I saw a sign for the Wild Animals section and headed straight for it. There were wolves, local dogs, gobbled black bears, and incredibly lazy lions, but the most energetic were the tigers. In April, the bird forest wasn't open yet. We reached the area where the cranes were kept, and there was an elephant show. It started at 2:30 pm, but everyone was already seated when we were told it wasn't happening. Of course, that was an unexpected event. Finally, we visited Monkey Island, which was the most interesting part, as the monkeys were truly fascinating. Finally, we took the bus back from the South Gate.
It's very big and can only be completed in a day. There are many wild animals and you can have close contact with them, but it will be a bit tiring. For a small person like me, it is suitable for a large group of family and friends to go together. It will be very interesting. Bring more food and water, and a selfie stick~
The tour takes about 3-4 hours. It's divided into two sections: the raptor section and the animal section. There are plenty of opportunities to interact with the animals.
This zoo is super big, so we started to visit it at 9 o'clock and it took us until 3 o'clock in the afternoon to walk through the whole zoo. It was also my first time to take the escalator in the zoo.
Dalian Forest Zoo. We went to the entrance to Phase 1 first, but later realized that was a big mistake. Phase 1 is basically abandoned, poorly maintained, with unclear signs and few animals. It's just a scam. You have to take that crappy cable car to get to Phase 2. Seniors are free, but the cable car is not. If you go directly to Phase 2, which has a seniors section, you can almost avoid paying.
Phase 2 was pretty good. The free-range animal area had many well-behaved herbivores, including tigers and lions, and the scenery was fantastic. I even saw an elephant show. The tropical plant greenhouse was also nice; I ran into many beautiful women shooting magazine photos there. The zoo entrance fee was 120 yuan, which was a bit pricey and not worth it, considering it only had Phase 2.
My favorite is the giraffe, but I didn't get to touch it. It's so big inside. There are so many animals that it takes a whole day to walk around. Every time I go there, the giant pandas are asleep. There are also big ostriches and many monkeys. The zoo is divided into two parts. I was exhausted by the end, but I had a lot of fun seeing so many cute animals. Also, pay attention to hygiene and don't litter.
Dalian Forest Zoo is a relatively large zoo with a wide variety of animals. The ticket price is 120 yuan, and you can buy tickets for 100 yuan online. Due to the construction of the Binhai Bridge and Tunnel Project in the zoo, you can only enter the zoo through the South Gate of the Second Phase, which is the free-range area. There are people selling carrot strips outside the gate, saying that you can go in to feed the small animals. 5 small plastic bags for 10 yuan, and there are about ten carrots in a plastic bag. They said that they are expensive inside, so if you want to buy them, buy them. You are definitely not allowed to feed the animals inside, but you can feed them secretly. There are no carrots for sale inside, so there is no such thing as expensive or not. If you want to buy, you can bargain with them. There is a map on the right hand side after entering, which is the one I sent.
I went there with my roommate, but we were a little late. We didn’t get there until 9 or 10 in the morning. We didn’t get to go shopping all day. We were in such a hurry.
Zoo, zoo, my favorite zoo, there are my favorite giant pandas and all kinds of birds, anyway, I just like zoos, okay, okay, by the way... There are also alpacas, they smell very strong... Please do not approach...
It's very suitable for taking children, but it's very large. It's really difficult to walk through it carefully in one day. The parking lot is very full during tourist holidays, so you need to go early.
It is a large and most economical attraction where you can have close contact with animals.
It's fun, especially for kids. There's a dedicated area for kids, filled with small animals.
It's beautiful, but a little cold. There aren't many animals to see now, so I'm a little disappointed.
Dalian Forest Zoo is quite good here. The alpacas are free-range and you can buy food to feed them. There are also a few pandas which is quite surprising.
Very good, very suitable for taking children. The ticket price is a bit expensive.
There are quite a lot of animals, and the route planning is a bit weird, so it’s impossible to visit all the animal enclosures in one go!
On our second day in Dalian, we visited the Dalian Forest Zoo, just across from Xinghai Square. The zoo's specialty is the free-range animals, with lambs and alpacas right on the roadside. You can even feed ponies and pet giraffes up close, interacting with the animals. My kids loved it!
Upon entering the zoo's south gate, you'll see a sign that says "Dalian Forest Zoo." Go up and pick up a zoo map with the best routes, which should be very helpful. Below that is a schedule of animal shows. All of the shows are held in Phase 1 of the zoo, but there aren't many animals there anymore; the main focus is on the shows, along with a dinosaur amusement park. We only saw the elephant show until almost 4 p.m., and thought the Happy Theater was a long way off, so we skipped it. It actually wasn't that far, which was a shame!
The weather was very good and sunny the day we went, but the mountain was still very big, so we should have prepared a coat in advance.
[Ticket Information] Adults: 120 yuan/person (80 yuan/person for group purchase); 65-70 years old: 60 yuan/person; 70 years old and above: free.
I bought a group buy on Dianping in advance, and caught up with the event. The group buy price of 105 yuan ended up being 85 yuan! To redeem your ticket on site, you need to go to window No. 4 on the left side of the south gate of the zoo.
[Tip] There's a guy standing next to you who looks like a volunteer (actually a tour guide selling tickets for the tower and return trip). He'll tell you that after the show, you can only take a bus to the South Gate (20 yuan), as the West Gate and North Gate are closed. A return ticket to Dalian's highest tower costs 100 yuan on-site, but only 70 yuan from him. If you only take the bus back to the South Gate, it's 20 yuan. You can actually go through the North Gate, too; we did, and it also only cost 20 yuan. But then I think that angle might be right across from Xinghai Square, so it might be worth a visit!
Xinghai Square is very close. If you still have energy after visiting the zoo, it would be nice to go and see the night view of Xinghai Square.
As a Dalian native who grew up in Dalian, I feel bad for my hometown if I don't write this review. What has happened in recent years? I'm speechless...
Since I can't travel far during the Spring Festival, I took my parents for a walk nearby. I haven't been to the Forest Zoo for many years. I thought it would be fun to see the small animals and big beasts, but the result was really disappointing.
Let me briefly talk about it from three aspects: environment, animal quality and service.
Environment: The entrance to the free-range area at the south gate looked like it hadn't been renovated or painted in years, and the color faded significantly. The side of the stairs to the panda enclosure hadn't been painted in ages. Pigeon droppings were all over the floor outside the gate, and it hadn't been cleaned in ages. Many indoor areas within the park were poorly ventilated, and the smell was unimaginable. For example, the monkey area was awful. The route design was utterly awful. To see all the animals in the free-range area, you had to go back and forth. Walking the plank road meant you couldn't get up close to the animals, so you could only gaze at them from afar. The tour bus only made short stops along the way, with no stopping and no getting off. It was like riding a tram that took you a long way. To get closer to the animals, I took my parents to walk the free-range area and then take the bus to the captive area. The free-range area was enormous, and the signage was sparse and unclear!!! Connecting between the free-range and captive areas was difficult, and getting back to the parking lot was inconvenient, so I didn't even get to visit the captive area!
Animal Quality: It was just so-so. It seemed like many animals were closed during the Spring Festival holiday. I didn't see any flamingos or giraffes in the free-range areas, and I didn't see any notice that Monkey Island was temporarily closed. Was the variety okay? Time was limited, so I didn't see much. I was three hours in, and I didn't even get to visit the enclosures.
Service: The official WeChat account isn't well managed, with simple content and slow updates. Contacting customer service and getting the latest information is a struggle. Service was virtually non-existent during the Spring Festival holiday. Staff were nowhere to be seen. There was no advance notice or central notification of any closures or outages during the holiday. I only noticed temporary repairs on Monkey Island. The tour bus schedule was poor, with a single trip not even taking me to the next park's starting point. The elevator only went up, with the down-trip service disabled. I saw two elderly people with mobility issues trying to get down the stairs. The food in the park was ridiculously scarce and incredibly expensive. A serving of cold noodles was 15 yuan—why wouldn't you grab one?
I never want to go back. I met three families from Sichuan, and I wonder what they think. Will such a beautiful coastal city leave a good impression on people? Will it make them want to linger? I don't know the answer.
I hope that my hometown will become better and better, and that urban construction, especially service awareness, will be stronger. Tourists must be attracted by service quality, and benefits cannot be achieved by relying on old capital in the long run.
ps: I was quite happy standing on Binhai Road heading towards the cross-sea bridge and feeding a group of seagulls. It was the happiest memory of this day's trip.