Taipei Zoo

Overview

The Taipei Zoo is one of Asia's largest and most respected zoological parks, spanning 165 hectares with naturalistic habitats housing over 400 species and 2,500 individual animals.

Highlights

• Giant Pandas: Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan (and their offspring) are the zoo's star attractions in the dedicated panda house.
• Pangolin Dome: A state-of-the-art tropical rainforest dome housing the world's most successful pangolin breeding program.
• Formosan Animal Area: A dedicated section showcasing Taiwan's unique endemic species including Formosan black bears and clouded leopards.

History

Founded in 1914 during Japanese colonial rule, the zoo relocated from its cramped Yuanshan site to its current spacious Muzha location in 1986. It has become a leader in conservation research, particularly for pangolins.

Visitor Tips

• Size Warning: The zoo is enormous — use the internal shuttle train to save energy for the key exhibits.
• Maokong Combo: Take the Maokong Gondola directly from the zoo for a full-day outing.
• Duration: 3–4 hours.