Chimelong Safari Park

• Region: Guangdong
• Region type: Province
• City: Not yet specified
• Destination type: Not yet specified

Chimelong Safari Park, in the Panyu district of Guangzhou, is one of mainland China's largest wildlife parks and a cornerstone of the sprawling Chimelong Tourist Resort. Since opening in the late 1990s it has grown into a major zoological attraction housing hundreds of species, including giant pandas, Bengal tigers, and African wildlife, across walking-zoo zones and a drive-through safari area. Combining conservation-oriented breeding programs with theme-park-style presentation, it draws millions of visitors annually and is regularly ranked among Guangdong's top family attractions. Its scale and variety of exhibits make it a full-day outing rather than a quick stop, appealing equally to young children and dedicated wildlife enthusiasts.

The park sits in Panyu District in southern Guangzhou, roughly 25 to 30 kilometers from the city center, as part of the wider Chimelong Tourist Resort complex that also includes Chimelong Paradise and the Chimelong Hotel cluster. Its scale is substantial, spanning a large area divided into a walking zone with themed animal exhibits and a separate safari zone traversed by vehicle.

Panyu shares Guangzhou's humid subtropical climate, with hot, rainy summers (June to September) often above 32°C and high humidity, and milder, drier winters (December to February) rarely below 8°C. Spring can be misty and humid; visitors should expect at least some rain during the warmer months and plan for shade and hydration.

Autumn and winter (October to February) bring cooler, drier, more comfortable conditions for a full day outdoors, and animals tend to be more active in cooler morning hours year-round. Weekday visits outside Chinese national holidays help avoid the heaviest crowds, which can be substantial during summer and Golden Week periods.

Chimelong Safari Park opened in 1997 as one of China's pioneering large-scale wildlife parks, developed by the Chimelong Group (then known as Xiangjiang Group), which went on to build a broader entertainment empire across Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and beyond. The park expanded its collection and facilities substantially over subsequent decades, becoming a flagship site for both public entertainment and wildlife breeding, notably for giant pandas and other rare species.

As part of the Chimelong brand, the safari park represents modern China's growing investment in large-scale, professionally run wildlife tourism and conservation-linked entertainment. It has become a fixture of family travel itineraries across Guangdong and a point of regional pride for successfully breeding giant pandas and other rare animals outside their native habitats.

Visitors can ride through the drive-through safari zone (by park vehicle or, for an extra fee, their own car) to see lions, tigers, and giraffes at close range, walk through themed zones for pandas, koalas, and African animals, watch scheduled animal performances and feeding sessions, and take in evening shows during peak seasons. A dedicated panda house is a particular highlight.

Key sights include the Giant Panda House, the Tiger Valley and Lion Territory in the safari zone, the White Tiger area, koala and kangaroo exhibits, an extensive bird park, and various themed animal performance arenas. The night safari experience, offered during certain seasons, is also popular for viewing nocturnal animal behavior.

Chimelong Safari Park is accessible via Guangzhou Metro Line 3 (Chimelong Tourist Resort area is well signposted) combined with shuttle buses, or directly by taxi and ride-hailing from central Guangzhou, a journey of roughly 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. From Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, it is typically an hour or more by road.

The park is generally open daily, typically from around 9:00 am, with closing times varying seasonally between early evening and later at night during peak summer season when special shows are added. Because hours change with the season and special events, visitors should confirm the current schedule on the official Chimelong website before visiting.

Admission is a single all-inclusive ticket covering both the walking zoo and the safari drive-through, with prices set at standard theme-park levels for China and periodic discounts for children, seniors, or combination tickets with other Chimelong attractions. Because rates change from season to season, current pricing should be checked on the official Chimelong booking platform.

A full day (6 to 8 hours) is recommended to comfortably see both the walking zoo and safari sections along with scheduled shows and feeding times, given the park's large size and the walking involved.

The Chimelong Tourist Resort operates several themed hotels directly adjacent to the park, ranging from family-friendly to higher-end options, making an overnight stay convenient for visitors combining the safari park with Chimelong Paradise or the Water Park. Numerous additional hotel options exist in wider Panyu and central Guangzhou for those on a budget.

The park itself has multiple restaurants and food courts offering Chinese fast food, Cantonese dishes, and international options, along with themed dining near the safari zone. The broader Chimelong resort area outside the park gates has a wide range of additional restaurants catering to family groups and tour parties.

Chimelong Paradise theme park and Chimelong Water Park sit within the same resort complex and are natural add-ons for multi-day visits. Guangzhou's central attractions, including the Canton Tower and Shamian Island, are within an hour's drive for visitors basing themselves downtown.

Guangzhou Metro Line 3 connects to the Chimelong resort area, with shuttle buses linking the station to the park entrance. Taxis, ride-hailing apps, and organized tour buses are the most convenient options given the park's distance from the city center.

Keep car windows closed and follow staff instructions strictly while in the drive-through safari zone, do not feed animals except at designated stations, and supervise children closely in crowded areas. Sun protection and hydration are important given the largely outdoor, shade-limited layout.

Comfortable walking shoes, sun hat and sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, a light rain jacket in summer, and cash or mobile payment for tickets, food, and souvenirs, since the park is extensive and much of it is outdoors.

Arrive at opening time to beat both heat and crowds, check the daily show schedule at the entrance to plan your route, and consider combining the visit with another Chimelong attraction if staying more than a day, as the resort offers multi-park ticket bundles.

For emergencies anywhere in mainland China, dial 110 for police, 120 for ambulance, and 119 for fire services. The national tourism hotline, 12301, assists with travel-related complaints and issues. On-site first aid stations and staff are available throughout the park.

Ticket prices, opening hours, show schedules, and safety guidelines are published on the official Chimelong Group website and app, which should be consulted for the most current information before planning a visit. Checking a few days ahead is especially useful around Chinese public holidays, when hours, crowd-control measures, and pricing often change temporarily.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.