Taipei Zoo

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The zoo is a participant in the international breeding program for the endangered Giant Panda, housing three resident pandas.

2. 2

   A significant portion of the zoo is dedicated to the 'Formosan Animal Area,' which replicates the unique ecosystems of Taiwan's mountain ranges.

3. 3

   The zoo operates an onsite veterinary hospital that provides advanced surgical and diagnostic care for its diverse wildlife collection.

4. 4

   The park utilizes a naturalistic enclosure design to replace traditional cages, often using moats instead of fences to separate animals from visitors.

5. 5

   It is one of the few zoos globally that maintains a specialized Penguin House capable of sustaining sub-Antarctic climate conditions for King and Gentoo penguins.

Overview

Taipei Zoo is the largest zoo in Taiwan and ranks among the top ten in Asia by size, encompassing over 165 hectares. The facility is divided into outdoor display areas and specialized indoor pavilions, including the popular Giant Panda House and the Koala House. The zoo features a dedicated Children’s Zoo and a nocturnal animal house designed to simulate darkness during daylight hours. A dedicated shuttle train connects the lower zoo area to the more elevated Bird World and Rainforest areas. Visitors can access the Maokong Gondola, which has a station immediately adjacent to the zoo entrance, providing aerial views of the Wenshan District. The park emphasizes conservation, education, and animal welfare, housing species native to Taiwan such as the Formosan Sika Deer and the Taiwan Black Bear. It is a sprawling, hilly site that requires extensive walking across varied terrain.

Insider tips

• Prioritize the higher-elevation sections first by taking the shuttle train, then walk downhill to save energy.

• Bring a reusable water bottle, as the park provides multiple filtered water refill stations throughout the grounds.

• Wear comfortable, broken-in walking shoes, as the park’s topography includes significant inclines and long distances.