Chiang Mai: Zoo 清迈: 动物园

Chiang Mai Zoo was established on 16th June 1977 by the The Zoological Park Organization. It is the 1st and only zoo in Northern Thailand, situated on 212 acres of verdant forest land at the foothill of Doi Suthep mountain, serving an inviting habitat for about 7,000 happy, healthy animals from all corners of the world and hitting a record of 700,000 visitors per year. The main attractions are:

The Giant Pandas

Chuang Chuang (Thaewan) and Lin Hui (Theawee) were a pair of pandas sent as goodwill ambassadors from China on 12 October 2003. Later, a female baby cub named Lin Bing (meaning 'forest of ice' in chinese and Ping River in Thai) was born on 27 May 2009 - the first giant panda born in Thailand.

These Giant Pandas are the stars of the zoo and the most popular exhibit, attracting thousands of visitors daily.

Their 40 million baht (RM4/USD135 million) panda enclosure is designed to simulate the cool mountain climate of their natural home and their estimated cost of living is about 120-150 thousand baht (RM12-15/USD 4-5 thousand) per month!! 

The Koalas

The first zoo in Thailand to house 2 pairs of koalas from Australia's Taronga Zoo which were shipped as a gift to mark the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the king's Accession to the Throne and His Majesty's 79th birthday. They are also symbols of an enduring friendship between Thailand and Australia.

Their 3 million baht (RM300/USD100 thousand) enclosure provides them a natural dwelling habitat that keeps temperature at 18 - 23 degrees Celsius.

The 4 koalas adjusted themselves well to their new home and had been feeding on 10 types of Eucalyptus trees grown at the Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens in Chiang Mai's Mae Rim district and 2 nurseries in Hod & Mae Teang districts.

The Aquatic Park

A 600 million baht (RM60/USD20 million) project, situated on 4 acres of land has the world's longest and spacious aquatic crystal-clear tunnel aquarium (133metres) with over 20,000 marine creatures which was opened to public on 28th October 2008. 

The tunnel system is divided into a saltwater underwater tunnel and a fresh water underwater tunnel that place you directly in the center of an enormous 360-degree aquatic habitats. This all-acrylic tunnel design allows fresh water and salt water marine life to coexist together; an amazing concept originated from The Great Mekong River.

The largest aquarium in South Est Asia with a collection of more than 250 species of aquatic life from oceans and rivers from around the world of which 80% of the species are indigenous to Thailand.

For more info: http://www.chiangmaiaquarium.com/index-eng.html

Open Zoo

More than 200 animals live in harmony in the 40 acres open zoo where visitors can walk through on a sky walkway to get close to them. Barking Deer, Brow Anther Deer, Hog Deer, Spotted Dear, Alpaca, Peacock and such..

Nakornping Aviary Park 

The largest aviary park in Thailand, situated on 2.5 acres of land in the midst of a natural environment with a waterfall. It is indeed a true birdwatcher’s paradise featuring 800 varieties of birds.



Gibbon Island

Gibbons live freely and happily on a series of islands without enclosure.

The Snow Dome

See and frolic in the snow with temperature of -5 degrees Celsius.A 60 million baht (RM6.2/USD 1.98million) project of 580 sq.m and will be the new home for the panda family.

Penguin Center

Meet the cute Humboldt Penguins (donated by Singapore Zoo) in their 3 million baht (RM300/USD100 thousand) 215 sq.m home; designed with a 52 sq.m air conditioned enclosure, 80 sq.m open air enclosure and 65 sq.m visitors viewing area.

Cape Fur Seal Exhibit

5 intelligent Cape Fur Seal from South Africa. Watch seal shows for FREE.

Camping Area

You can request for a tent for an overnight camping to have an invaluable experience living among nature amidst beautiful scenery and under a starry sky in a zoo!! Camping gear is provided at a nominal fee.

Children Zoo

The land of happiness for children, covering an area of 1,442 sq.m. with shady evergreen trees, beautiful landscape of floral & fauna gardens. The children zoo consists of pets, farm animals, baby wild animals, fish exhibit, lotus pond, adventure area, sand area, education room and animal shows.  

Twilight Zoo

Opens daily from 6:30pm to 9pm for visitors to see and study of more than 30 kinds of nocturnal animal in their habitats at night. Animal shaped lights are decorated along the way to the twilight world of wild life. A safe and comfortable tram is available for a special night tour.

Other Services

There are plenty of food and refreshments stalls scattered around the zoo.

The public relation office, gift & photo shops are located near the entrance.

ENTRANCE FEE: in Thai Baht

General Admission: (8:00am - 9:00pm)

Foreigners - Adult 100/Child 50  

Thai - Adult  50/Child 10

Thai teacher, soldier, policeman (in uniform) - 30

Thai senior citizen, disabled people and monks - FREE 

The Panda Enclosure: (8:30am-5:30pm)    

Foreigners - Adult 100/Child 50

Thai - Adult  50/Child 20

*Best time for visit - 9am when the pandas are fed and most active in the morning - wrestling & playing. If you visit them in the afternoon, they'll be watching you just as much as the way you are watching them.

The Aquatic Park: (8:00am-5:00pm)

Foreigners - Adult 520/Child 390 

Thai - Adult 290/Child 190

Child under 3 and senior citizen over 69 - FREE

*If you buy your Aquarium ticket at the entrance of the zoo. You can get to the Aquarium by the blue aquarium bus for FREE.

Snow Dome: (9:00am - 5:45pm)

Foreigner & Thai Adults 150/Child 100

*Visits are limited to 20 mins, 12 sessions per day ONLY. Warm clothing & shoes are provided.

Seal/Animal Shows: FREE

Seal- Mon - Fri:1030am/2pm  Sat-Sun:1030am/130pm/3pm

Animal- Mon -Fri:1130am/3pm Sat-Sun:1130am/230pm/ 330pm  

GETTING AROUND THE ZOO

The zoo's main areas are connected by a long road that runs in a loop from the entrance to the lake and back. Familiarize yourself with the locality of the exhibits to ensure you get to see the animals you want to see with the help of a zoo map at the entrance.

Monorail: Air conditioned and carry 50-70 passengers per trip.

Foreigner - 150  Thai- Adult 100/Child 50         

Tram Ride: Hop on/off

Foreigner & Thai - Adult 20/Child 10

* Remember the zoo covers 212 acres of land. If you DON'T take the monorail/tram, you might have to rob an antelope or a zebra to ride later!!

HOW TO GET THERE: Chiang Mai Zoo, 100 Huay Kaew Road, Chiang Mai

1. By your own

Drive/ride along Huay Kaew Rd, passing Chiang Mai University. The Zoo is on your left. About 15 mins drive from the city. Parking fee: Car-50 baht/ Motorcycle-10 baht/ Bicycle - 1 baht

2. By taxi  

Ask to be on the meter (drivers might demand for a fixed price)

3. By Red Songtaew - a red pick-up truck with benches/a shared taxi. About 30 baht from the city. Ask for the fare price before you board.

4. By Bus 3 - operating from 6am-10pm 

20 baht no matter where you board around the city.

5. By tour

Half day tour. Check it out with any tour agents in the city.

Getting back to the city area is easy as tuk-tuks and songtaews are always waiting outside or songtaews on their way back from Doi Suthep also make a stop at the zoo. 

OR 

You might want to proceed the day's itinerary to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (a sacred temple dated back to the 14th century) at THB 40 (RM4/USD 1.40) per person on a songtaew. (have medicated oil or plastic bag handy in case you get dizzy or puke on the way up!! But its worth it afterall...)