🐼 Taipei Zoo Taiwan: My Last Stop (and My Panda Dream)
Taipei Zoo was the last attraction we visited during our trip to Taiwan.
Since it was already our final day, we wanted everything to feel calm and light. We didn’t want to be stressed or rushing around before heading to the airport, so we only planned two attractions for the day.
Taipei Zoo was one of them.
We already had a few animals in mind that we wanted to see, so we told ourselves we wouldn’t spend too much time inside…
And now, writing this, I realize how much I regret that.
Because Taipei Zoo is huge—and we could have met so many more animals if we stayed longer.
🦁 Taipei Zoo: The Biggest Zoo in Asia
Welcome to Taipei Zoo—one of the most beloved family attractions in Taiwan and the largest zoo in Asia! Located in the scenic Wenshan District, this 165-hectare wonderland is home to more than 400 animal species from around the world, including giant pandas, koalas, penguins, and exotic species from Taiwan’s own forests.
Whether you’re visiting with toddlers, teens, or animal-loving adults, Taipei Zoo promises an enriching, exciting, and wildly adorable experience. 🐨🦓🦘
🐼 My One Mission: To See a Panda
Honestly, the main reason I wanted to visit Taipei Zoo was very simple:
I wanted to see a panda.
I wasn’t able to see one properly when we visited Hong Kong. The panda there was eating behind bamboo trees the whole time, and even though we waited… it never came out.
So I promised myself:
“Next time, I will see a panda up close.”
And then Taiwan happened.
But of course… life has its funny ways.
When we finally reached the panda enclosure in Taipei Zoo…
The panda was sleeping.
Deep asleep.
We waited again, hoping it would wake up or move around.
But nope.
He stayed asleep the entire time.
Another panda disappointment 😅
Still, we explored what we could before it was time to leave.
🚡 The Ride Was a Highlight: Cable Car + Zoo Train
Even though we didn’t see everything, one of the best parts of the experience was actually the journey getting there.
To reach the zoo area, you can ride the Maokong Cable Car, and then there’s a train waiting to bring visitors closer to the zoo entrance.
The moment I stepped inside the little zoo train, I suddenly felt like a child again.
There was something so joyful about it—like the trip wasn’t just about animals, but about feeling playful and light before going home.
Related Post: 🚇 How to Get to Taipei Zoo (MRT Guide + Gondola Tips for First Timers)
🍙 Snack Break at 7-Eleven (Taiwan Convenience Stores Are the Best)
After walking around for a while, we realized we still hadn’t eaten lunch.
So we went outside and found a nearby 7-Eleven, and of course… Taiwan convenience stores never disappoint.
We grabbed:
- Onigiri 🍙
- The famous banana milk drink 🍌🥛
Taiwan’s 7-Eleven stores are on another level compared to what we have in the Philippines. There are so many choices, and everything feels affordable and convenient.
Even a simple snack break became a travel memory.
🐾 What Makes Taipei Zoo Special?
✅ Affordable Entry: Just
NT$60 for adults (around ₱100!)
✅
Themed Zones: Explore different habitats like the African Savannah,
Penguin House, Insectarium, and Rainforest Zone
✅
Home of Yuan Zai 🐼: Taiwan’s first baby
panda, born in Taipei Zoo!
✅
Maokong Gondola 🚠: Cable car access to
the mountains and tea plantations nearby
✅
Eco-Conscious Design: The zoo focuses on conservation and
education—perfect for conscious travelers.
🗺️ Zone Highlights You'll Love
We’ll explore these in detail through individual blog posts:
- 🐼 Giant Panda House – The superstar zone!
- 🦒 African Animal Area – Zebras, giraffes, rhinos, and elephants
- 🦜 Tropical Rainforest Zone – Lush greenery and colorful birds
- 🐧 Penguin House – Chill with Humboldt penguins
- 🦋 Insectarium & Bug World – Fascinating for kids (and brave adults!)
- 🦘 Australia & Koala House – Wallabies, emus, and the adorable koalas
- 🐍 Desert Animal Zone – Camels, snakes, and hardy creatures of the dunes
- 🦌 Formosan Animal Area – A tribute to Taiwan’s native wildlife
- 🌳 Amphibian & Reptile House – Frogs, lizards, and creepy-crawlies galore
- 🚞 Zoo Train Ride & Gondola Access – Easy on the feet and big on views!
📸 Best Photo Spots
• Selfie with the panda mural near the entrance 🐼
• Maokong Gondola ride 🚠
• Wooden bridge in the Rainforest Zone 🌿
• Penguin House underwater viewing window 🐧
• Giant giraffe statues in the African Zone 🦒
🧒 Is Taipei Zoo Kid-Friendly?
Absolutely! Taipei Zoo is designed for families with:
• Spacious stroller-friendly walkways
• Plenty of shaded rest stops
• Playgrounds and interactive displays
• Gentle animal-themed train ride for tired legs 🚂
🕒 Taipei Zoo Updates
📍 Location:
Wenshan District, Taipei City
🚇
Nearest MRT: Taipei Zoo Station (Brown Line)
⏰
Opening Hours:
Daily, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
(Closed on Mondays, check official site for holiday schedules)
🎟️ Entrance Fee:
Around NT$60 (very affordable!)
🐼 Panda House is included in the ticket
🎯 Pro Tips for Your Visit
🕘 Best Time to Visit:
Arrive at opening time (9 AM) to beat the crowds and heat
👟
What to Wear: Comfortable shoes – it’s a LOT of walking!
🎟️
Tickets: Buy via kiosk or EasyCard – no long lines
☂️
Weather Tip: Bring an umbrella or hat; parts of the zoo are not shaded
🧃
Food & Drinks: Cafes and vending machines are scattered throughout
✈️ Goodbye Taipei: Back to the Hotel, Then the Airport
After the zoo, we walked back to the train station, returned to the hotel to pick up our luggage, and then headed to the airport.
It was still tiring, but we were content.
Our last day wasn’t packed with attractions, but it was peaceful—and sometimes that’s exactly what you need before leaving a country you’ve grown to love.
🌸 Taipei Zoo was not the grand finale I expected.
The panda was asleep, we didn’t explore enough, and time moved faster than we wanted.
But looking back, it was still a meaningful last stop.
It reminded me that travel isn’t always about perfect moments—it’s about the little things:
A childlike train ride, an onigiri snack, the calm of a slow last day, and the feeling of being grateful even when things don’t go exactly as planned.
And maybe someday, I’ll come back… and finally meet a panda wide awake.
🌿 Lakwatserang Ligaw Quote
🌍“Sometimes the panda sleeps, the plans change, but the journey still becomes a memory worth keeping.”💫
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💬 Did you see the pandas
awake?
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More Taiwan stories coming soon 🇹🇼✨
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