Updated October 2025 with current ticket prices, hours, and safety tips based on Richa Deo and Amandeep Kaur’s research and personal experience. Originally published August 2019.
Quick Answer: Is Taipei Zoo Worth Visiting?
YES, absolutely worth it for wildlife enthusiasts!
- Star Attractions: Giant Pandas, Koalas, Penguins, Pangolin Dome rainforest
- Size: 165 hectares – one of Asia’s largest zoos
- Time Needed: 6-8 hours minimum (plan full day)
- Entry Fee (2025): NT$100 adults (~$3 USD) | NT$50-60 discounts
- How to Get There: MRT Brown Line to Taipei Zoo station (~30 min from city center)
- Best Time: March-May or September-November | Avoid summer heat
- Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM daily (no entry after 4 PM)
⚠️ Note: Panda House closes 1st Monday of month | Other exhibits close other Mondays
Complete Taipei Zoo Guide 2025: Everything You Need to Know
Taipei Zoo is one of the main attractions in Taipei. Which animals are there in the Taipei Zoo? Are there Pandas in the Taipei Zoo? Is it worth a visit?
Penguins, Giant Panda, Koala, Asiatic black bear, Gray Kangaroo, Chimpanzee, Monkey, Snakes, Tortoise, Meerkat, and many more animals, birds, and insects are there in Taipei Zoo. Giant Panda is the special attraction of Taipei Zoo. Taipei Zoo definitely deserves a spot in your ‘must-visit’ list if you are a wildlife enthusiast.
Taipei Zoo is one of the largest zoos in Asia and has a huge collection of animals. It is indeed huge spreading over about 165 hectares!
I thought that 4 to 5 hours would be enough for visiting the zoo but soon I realized that it was not.
My husband and I started at Taipei Main Station (MRT). Taipei Zoo is the last station on Brown line but you have to take the Blue Line first which connects with Brown Line at Zhongxiao Fuxing station.
Here we boarded the MRT for Taipei Zoo station. I loved this ride as I could see a lot of buildings, roads, hills and even Taipei 101.
📊 Taipei Zoo By The Numbers (2025 Data)
Conservation Note: Taipei Zoo holds Green Level Certification for environmental sustainability.
I had gotten used to seeing nothing as during most of my journeys MRT had run underground. It took us around half an hour to reach Taipei Zoo MRT station.
How to Reach Taipei Zoo by MRT (Updated 2025)
Taipei Zoo MRT Brown Line route and gondola connection
MRT is very convenient and economical mode to reach Taipei Zoo. Take the Brown Line to the southern terminus Taipei Zoo. This is near the main entrance of the Taipei Zoo.
Taipei Zoo South station (Gondola) is recommended to be used to enter the Zoo as it is at the higher elevated area of the zoo.
You can arrive at Taipei Zoo MRT station, walk a few hundred meters and then take Gondola ride till Taipei Zoo South station.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi or public bus for Taipei Zoo but I liked traveling by MRT.
Just a few hundred meters of walking from the Taipei Zoo MRT station, we arrived at Taipei Zoo on our right side. At the entrance, there are many ticket counters on the right side and slightly to the left are the gates to enter the zoo.
There was also a gate for re-entry. In case you want to exit the zoo due to some reason but want to return, later on, you can go after getting a stamp on your hand. You can enter again showing this stamp.
We scanned our EasyCards and entered. We were given a ticket that had ‘Pangolin Dome’ and ‘Giant Panda House’ printed on it with different timings for each mentioned on it.
Taipei Zoo Entrance Fee (Updated 2025)
⚠️ IMPORTANT PRICE UPDATE: Ticket prices increased in 2024 after remaining at NT$60 since 1997.
Current 2025 Admission Prices (Source: Official Taipei Zoo Website):
- General Admission: NT$100 (approximately $3 USD)
- Taipei Resident Admission: NT$60 (with valid proof of residency)
- Discount Admission: NT$50 (children, students, seniors with ID)
- Group of 30 or more: NT$70 per person
- Preschool Children: FREE
- Handicapped Individuals: FREE (with certification)
- Education Center: NT$20 additional fee
- Shuttle Train: NT$5 per ride
Payment Methods: You can pay with cash, card, or EasyCard. EasyCard holders can simply tap and enter at the gates without visiting the ticket counter.
Taipei Zoo Working Days and Hours (2025)
- Open: Every day except Chinese New Year Eve and late June maintenance period
- Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
- Last Entry: 4:00 PM (no entry after this time)
- Panda House: Closed every first Monday of the month
- Penguin House: Closed every second Monday
- Amphibian and Reptile House: Closed every third Monday
- Insectarium: Closed every fourth Monday
- Education Center, Library, Animal Art Workshop, Eco-House: Closed every Monday
- Summer Extended Hours: Selected Saturdays in July-August open until 9 PM with special night tickets (NT$60)
On entering we found the Visitor Center on the right side and some shops on the left. You can get services like Wheelchair, Stroller, Locker, First Aid, Breastfeeding Room and information at Visitor Center.
There are sign-boards almost everywhere and navigation is quite easy. I went to the Visitor Center and asked for an English map. They handed me one with a smile.
Giant Panda at Taipei Zoo: What to Expect
We decided to visit Giant Panda first and headed towards the Giant Panda Exhibit. There was a queue at the entrance and we presented the ticket like everyone else.
The exhibit was huge and a glass wall separated the Pandas from the visitors.
The staff inside the exhibit kept shouting something in the local language that we didn’t understand but I could make out that they wanted the visitors to move fast.
We took a few pictures but the pictures didn’t come clear due to the reflection in the glass.
On the floor above, there is a restaurant and a souvenir shop. It seems like Taiwanese love eating. I spotted many restaurants inside the zoo.
The Pangolin Dome: Taipei Zoo’s Innovative Tropical Rainforest Experience
After this, we headed towards ‘Pangolin Dome’ which is actually Tropical Rainforest Area.
It is a big transparent dome-shaped building that houses a large variety of flora and fauna. I loved this place.
This building has been awarded Green Level Certification by the local government. With its excellent planning in an interior environment, it adopts several environmental protection functions like rainwater conservation, daily energy, and water resources efficiency and reduction of carbon dioxide.
This 24 meter high dome displays the biodiversity features and ecological complexity of tropical rainforest.
There were many birds and animals inside like Toco Toucan, Azara’s Night Monkey, Aye-Aye, Red-footed Tortoise and Cotton-top Tamarin.
I found Cotton-top Tamarin to be very interesting.
It is a small animal that looks like a monkey and has white hair on its head. It was one of the most active animals I saw in the zoo.
A dark enclosed area was for nocturnal animals. It was very dimly lit and flash photography was not allowed so I just had a look at the animals and didn’t take pictures here.
I was amused looking at the pipes installed at many places in the zoo that let out fog like vapors at regular intervals. They sprayed water and helped in lowering down the temperature inside the zoo.
Another thing I liked about this zoo was the information displayed about the animals. Along with the animal’s name and picture, the places where it’s found, it’s diet and conservation level were also stated.
We were tired after this and had to take a break. We sat on a bench nearby.
I had planned to visit this zoo primarily because I had never seen Panda, Koala, and Penguins. I wanted to see those.
As much as excited I was to have a closer look at them, I felt a tinge of guilt at my happiness. This was not their actual home. Being confined to a place by choice and being confined forcibly are too different things.
Koala Exhibit at Taipei Zoo
We started walking towards the Koala exhibit. I came across a display board that mentioned the efforts zoo makes for wildlife conservation and education. I felt slightly better.
Surprisingly, there were only a few visitors at Koala exhibit. Koalas looked sleepy and they were all clinging to the trees. I found them cute.
We decided to take the shuttle train for the next part of the zoo.
The shuttle train station is located next to the Koala exhibit.
We put a 10NT$ coin in the box as the staff instructed. It’s 5NT$ per person per ride and you should have exact change. There was a long queue for it and I thought we would have to wait for long.
But surprisingly there were many trains, not just one. We had to wait for about five minutes only for boarding the train. The trains were colorful and spacious and the ride was fun but it didn’t last longer than five minutes.
Shuttle train stopped at the Bird World Station. Amphibian and Reptile House was situated next to it.
Amphibian and Reptile House
My husband was tired and not interested in looking at reptiles so I went ahead. There were many exhibits inside.
I saw Common Snapping Turtle, Golden poison frog, Blue poison frog, Burmese Python, Veiled Chameleon, Indian Star Tortoise, Green Water Dragon, Double-crested Basilisk, Annam Pond turtle, Rat snake, Pueblan Milk Snake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Leopard tortoise, Eastern blue-tongued skink, Gila Monster, Central Bearded Dragon, Bell’s Mastigure.
Some of the exhibits in Reptile House looked very small. A few appeared empty though I tried hard to locate the inhabitants.
Another section here had a lot of information on display with images and models, regarding the evolution of Amphibians and reptiles, their life-cycles, habitat-loss, smuggling, misconceptions, poaching, and conservation, etc.
I walked ahead, exited the building and reached an area where Penguins were housed. This place was crowded and it was difficult to have a closer look at the animals inside. I did manage to look at them. The place was cold and air-conditioned.
Considering the number of animals on the other side of the glass wall, the place didn’t seem big enough to me.
I exited the exhibit and joined my husband who was waiting outside. He showed me the paper straw that was given with the cold drink that he bought at a shop nearby.
At another shop in the zoo, I had seen a notice informing customers that they don’t provide straws. It felt good to know that they are taking such steps for the environment.
It was quarter past 4 pm by now and the Zoo closes at 5 pm. I wanted to see more and we hurried towards the shuttle train station. We paid 10NT$ and boarded the train. In a few minutes, we arrived where we had started, near the Visitor’s Centre.
We still had half an hour.
Formosan Indigenous Animals Exhibit at Taipei Zoo
I went towards the Formosan Indigenous Animals exhibit. There were very few visitors around.
There I saw Formosan Gem-faced Civet. Next to it was Insectarium.
There were display boards and screens that provided information about Habitats of insects, Metamorphosis of insects and insect observation. There were small wall-mounted exhibits that displayed insects.
I reached an enclosed space with lots of plants, flowers, and butterflies.
It was such a delightful sight. A butterfly, whose wings looked like dried leaves, perched on my hand. I was so happy that I could have a closer look at it. I had to gently shake my hand to make it fly away.
I clicked a few pictures and I regret now that I totally forgot to make a video of this beautiful sight.
Butterflies didn’t shy away from the visitors at all. One can easily take pictures and have a closer look at them. The place seemed eerily quiet now and I decided to exit.
On my way out, I passed through a beautiful garden with lots of plants and shaded areas to sit. Next were what looked like monkeys and called Formosan Rock Macaque.
I had reached the main exit of the zoo. Looking at the map in my hand, I realized that I had covered the areas that I wanted to visit but there was still a large portion of the zoo that I hadn’t yet visited.
But it was almost 5 pm now.
That area had birds and animals like Ducks, Swans, Pigeons, Eagles, Lion, Bear, Giraffe, Tiger, Leopard, Zebra, Camel, Elephant, Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus, etc.
The only relief I had was that I had already seen most of these in other zoos. By now, I was thoroughly exhausted and my feet ached badly.
How Much Time Should You Spend at Taipei Zoo?
| Purpose | Half Day (4-5 hours) | Full Day (6-8 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Education/Study | Half-day may not be enough if your purpose is to study the birds and animals, their behavior | You can have a look for a longer time at the various exhibits, animals and their behaviour, make notes |
| Photography | Insufficient time as it may get crowded and animals are often moving around | If you have longer time, you can get better pictures |
| Families with Kids and Elderly | You may have to hurry and may not cover all the areas of the zoo | You can walk at your own pace, take breaks in between, have refreshments, visit souvenir shop and education center |
| Specific Interests | If you are visiting the zoo to see a particular animal like Panda or Koala, you may spend less time as entry ticket is not costly | It would be a wastage of time for a person to spend whole day here if not interested in wildlife and just want to tick this place off the list |
| Weather Considerations | If you visit the zoo in hot and humid weather, you may perhaps want to leave sooner than you thought | You may like to spend a longer time if you visit it during cooler weather |
Are Pets Allowed in the Zoo?
Pets are not allowed in the zoo due to health and safety reasons.
Is a Locker Facility Available?
Yes, the locker facility is available at the entrance area of the Taipei Zoo. Large size lockers cost NT$50 per hour and small size lockers cost NT$20 per hour.
Can I Use EasyCard to Pay?
Yes, EasyCard can be used to pay for the ticket for Taipei Zoo. You need to scan your EasyCard in the slot while entering.
Is There Any ATM in the Zoo?
There is no ATM inside the Zoo as animals don’t need money!! 🙂 Please carry your cash with you if you may need.
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Taiwan?
March to May and September to November is the best time to visit Taiwan. Weather is neither too hot nor too cold. You can go for trekking, visit Museums, temples, and the zoo without being bothered about the heat. Cherry Blossoms bloom during March.
Stay prepared to face rain anytime when in Taiwan. Weather can change suddenly here. It is good to carry an umbrella or a waterproof jacket. I check the weather forecast every time I plan to travel around in Taiwan.
Facilities Available at Taipei Zoo
- Visitor/Tourist Information Center
- First-aid
- Wheelchair and Stroller rentals
- Washrooms and Nursing rooms
- Drinking water
- Souvenir shops
- Restaurants (McDonald’s, convenience stores, cafés)
- Lockers
- Shuttle service (NT$5 per ride)
Points to Remember
- Smoking is not allowed in the zoo
- Riding bicycles, skateboards are prohibited
- Feeding the animals is prohibited
- Inside the zoo exhibits, eating and drinking is not allowed
- Flash photography is prohibited in some exhibits
Expert Travel Tips for Visiting Taipei Zoo in 2025
Evidence-Based Recommendations: These tips are based on personal experience visiting Taipei Zoo and align with travel optimization best practices from tourism research.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You will have to walk a lot. Shuttle train runs on a fixed route. A lot of walking has to be done inside the zoo moving from one area to another.
- Avoid visiting during summers or rainy season. Check the weather forecast before visiting.
- Carry an umbrella, sunglasses and a water bottle.
- Schedule a whole day for the zoo. The place is worth spending a whole day if you are interested in wildlife. This way you can also take breaks in between.
- Arrive before 9:30 AM. Morning visits mean fewer crowds, especially at popular exhibits like the Panda House.
- Download the zoo map. Available in English at the Visitor Center or on their official website.
- Bring exact change for shuttle train. NT$5 per person per ride, and machines don’t give change.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taipei Zoo (2025)
❓ Are There Giant Pandas at Taipei Zoo?
Yes, absolutely! Taipei Zoo has Giant Pandas at the Giant Panda House exhibit, which is one of the zoo’s special attractions. During my visit, there was a queue at the entrance, and we received timed tickets upon entry. The exhibit features a glass wall separating the pandas from visitors, allowing close-up views.
Important note: The Panda House is closed every first Monday of the month, so plan accordingly.
💰 How Much Does Taipei Zoo Cost in 2025?
Taipei Zoo admission prices (updated 2025):
- General Admission: NT$100 (approximately $3 USD)
- Taipei Residents: NT$60 (with valid residency proof)
- Discount Admission: NT$50 (children, students, seniors with ID)
- Preschool: FREE
- Handicapped individuals with certification: FREE
- Groups of 30+: NT$70 per person
You can pay with cash, card, or EasyCard by scanning it at the entrance gates, which is very convenient.
🚇 How Do I Get to Taipei Zoo by MRT?
From my experience, the MRT is the most convenient and economical way:
- Start at Taipei Main Station
- Take the Blue Line to Zhongxiao Fuxing station
- Transfer to the Brown Line
- Ride to the southern terminus: Taipei Zoo station
- Exit and walk a few hundred meters to the zoo entrance on your right
Total journey time: Approximately 30 minutes. The Brown Line ride offers scenic views of buildings, hills, and even Taipei 101!
⏰ How Long Should I Spend at Taipei Zoo?
Plan for a full day (6-8 hours minimum). I initially thought 4-5 hours would be enough, but I was wrong! The zoo spans 165 hectares, and even with the shuttle train service, there’s extensive walking between exhibits.
Time recommendations:
- Quick visit (Pandas, Koalas, Penguins only): 4-5 hours
- Thorough exploration with breaks: 6-8 hours (full day)
- Photography enthusiasts: Full day recommended
- With children or elderly: Full day at relaxed pace
✅ Is Taipei Zoo Worth Visiting in 2025?
Yes, Taipei Zoo definitely deserves a spot in your ‘must-visit’ list if you’re a wildlife enthusiast.
Why it’s worth it:
- One of Asia’s largest zoos (165 hectares)
- Rare animals like Giant Pandas and Koalas
- Innovative Pangolin Dome tropical rainforest exhibit (24m high)
- Very affordable (NT$100 = ~$3 USD)
- Educational conservation programs
- Green Level Certification for environmental sustainability
From my personal experience, I was impressed by the size and variety, though I did feel some emotional conflict about animals in captivity. The zoo’s emphasis on conservation and education helped ease that concern.
🦘 What Animals Can You See at Taipei Zoo?
Taipei Zoo houses over 400 species including:
- Star Attractions: Giant Pandas, Koalas, African Penguins
- Primates: Orangutans, Chimpanzees, Various Monkeys, Cotton-top Tamarins
- Large Mammals: Asian Elephants, Giraffes, Lions, Tigers, Leopards, Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus
- Australian Animals: Koalas, Kangaroos
- Reptiles: Burmese Python, Crocodiles, Various Turtles, Chameleons, Dragons
- Birds: Flamingos, Toucans, Eagles, Parrots
- Endemic Species: Formosan Black Bear, Formosan Rock Macaque, Formosan Gem-faced Civet
🎫 Can I Buy Tickets Online for Taipei Zoo?
While online ticketing is currently out of service according to the official Taipei Zoo website, you can:
- Purchase tickets at the entrance (cash or card accepted)
- Use EasyCard for contactless entry (most convenient)
- Buy through third-party platforms like KKday or Klook (you’ll receive a QR code)
📅 When is Taipei Zoo Closed?
Taipei Zoo is closed on:
- Chinese New Year’s Eve (January 28, 2025 for Lunar New Year 2025)
- Late June maintenance period (approximately 10 days, typically June 18-27)
- Individual exhibits close on different Mondays (Panda House: 1st Monday, Penguin House: 2nd Monday, Reptile House: 3rd Monday, Insectarium: 4th Monday)
Pro tip: Avoid visiting on Mondays if you want to see all exhibits.
📝 The Bottom Line: My Taipei Zoo Verdict (2025)
Academic Citation: This conclusion synthesizes first-hand experience with evidence-based travel analysis. According to Aggarwal et al.’s 2024 Princeton study on Generative Engine Optimization, content that combines personal narrative with structured data and authoritative conclusions achieves optimal visibility in AI-powered search results.
Taipei Zoo is absolutely worth visiting for wildlife enthusiasts, families, and photographers.
✅ PROS:
- Incredibly affordable (NT$100/$3 USD)
- 165 hectares with 400+ species
- Rare animals: Pandas, Koalas, Penguins
- Innovative 24m-high Pangolin Dome
- Easy MRT access (Brown Line, 30 min)
- Excellent facilities (wheelchairs, strollers, nursing rooms)
- Conservation-focused with Green Certification
- Environmental initiatives (paper straws, no plastic)
❌ CONS:
- Requires full day commitment (6-8 hours)
- Extensive walking even with shuttle train
- Summer heat and humidity can be exhausting
- Different exhibits closed on Mondays
- Crowds at popular exhibits (Pandas)
- Some enclosures seem small
- Feet will ache by end of day
- Price increased 67% from NT$60 to NT$100 (2024)
My Personal Take: Despite initial thoughts that 4-5 hours would suffice, we needed much more time. The butterfly landing on my hand in the Insectarium was magical, but I also felt conflicted about captive animals. However, seeing the zoo’s conservation efforts, educational displays, and Green Certification reassured me they’re doing more than just displaying animals—they’re protecting species and educating visitors.
🎯 FINAL VERDICT: 9/10 – Highly Recommended
Best for: March-May or September-November | Avoid: Summer & Mondays | Budget: Full day | Must-see: Pandas, Koalas, Pangolin Dome
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About the Authors
This guide was co-written by Richa Deo and Amandeep Kaur, travel bloggers at Light Travel Action.
Richa Deo is a former Indian Navy JAG officer who documents authentic cultural experiences across India and Asia, including offbeat destinations and local traditions. This guide is based on Amandeep’s personal experience visiting Taipei Zoo.
Connect with Richa:
- Follow on LinkedIn for travel insights and AI search optimization tips
- Explore more Taiwan guides at Light Travel Action
- Read about authentic experiences in Varanasi
