Beijing Zoo unveils its brand-new Giant Panda House today (July 16), which is now home to 10 giant pandas, including the fan-favorite Meng Lan.

Meng Lan

Located east of the original site, this expanded home features a classical Chinese garden design, with covered corridors linking courtyards and a rain garden, creating an immersive environment. Spanning 13,000 square meters, it includes four themed zones reminiscent of pandas' natural habitats, complete with climbing structures and a play pool, making the pandas feel as if they are in a mountain forest.

Embracing a low-carbon and circular design philosophy, the new venue is China's first animal enclosure recognized as a Three-Star Green Building. Eco-friendly building materials, as well as advanced temperature control and central ventilation systems, maintain an ideal environment tailored to the pandas' needs. A smart enclosure management system has been introduced, enabling intelligent security, health monitoring, and automated environmental management. There is even a misting system to ensure a cool, comfortable environment for the pandas in summer.

The new venue promises an enhanced visitor experience. A circular route helps ease holiday crowds. Additionally, fully separated pathways for visitors and the zoo's staff and operations ensure a safer and more comfortable experience for visitors.

The opening of the new venue also brings changes to the functions of relevant facilities. The new house and the Asian Games Panda House now serve as the main spaces for the pandas to meet the public, while the Olympic Games Panda House has been repurposed as a behind-the-scenes facility and is closed to the public. In addition, a rotation system has been introduced, which means visitors may see different giant pandas each time they visit, making every trip a fresh and exciting experience!

To celebrate the opening of the new venue, the zoo has released a limited-edition commemorative ticket featuring two Chinese-style illustrations of adorable giant pandas. Around the venue, newly upgraded shops offer different kinds of souvenirs, specialty drinks, panda-inspired popsicles, and even coffee topped with giant panda-inspired latte art—all to make every visit even more memorable.

Opening Hours (during the peak season: April 1 to October 31)

Zoo: 7:30 – 18:00

Giant Panda House: 8:00 – 18:00

Ticket Info

Combo tickets (each includes a one-time admission to the Giant Panda House)

Full-price ticket: 19 yuan

Concession ticket: 9.5 yuan

Single admission tickets for the Giant Panda House

Full-price ticket: 5 yuan

Concession ticket: 2.5 yuan

(Source: Official WeChat account of Beijing Daily)