Chiang Mai Zoo
Go in knowing this is an old-school zoo on a steep forested hillside, not a modern wildlife park, and you'll have a decent morning. The grounds are enormous and genuinely hilly, so the tram ticket or a rented golf cart isn't a luxury. Reviewers who skipped it describe a paid hike more than a zoo visit. From the road, a tram loop covers most of the place in about half an hour, then you get out and walk the bits you care about.
The aquarium and penguins draw the warmest comments, along with feeding the giraffes, and there are newer Dinosaur Island and Snow Dome zones. Be realistic about the animals, though. The giant pandas are gone, several enclosures have closed over the years, and a fair few visitors come away saying the place felt empty and the exhibits tired. If you're coming specifically to see one species, look it up on chiangmai.zoothailand.org first. Families with young kids and anyone happy just to be walking under big trees will get the most out of it.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Chiang Mai Zoo, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
Chiangmai Zoo is a very unique place in Chiangmai. The zoo is not too big you can spend around 2 hours here Recommend to pay for the Golf Cart. Kids will love it and of course more flexible than the Zoo Bus. Now there are 2 new zones, Dinosaur Island & Snow Dome. We did not try these new zones this time. In my opinion the Dino Island is looked nice especially during Summer time because there is the water park inside :) Do not miss the Aquarium and Penguin zones !!
It’s a cool, old-school zoo. It’s more grand than I expected and definitely bigger than I remembered. I used to go there when I was very young, mostly to see the pandas 🐼 (RIP). The zoo itself is HUGE. You literally cannot walk the whole thing as a human being. Be prepared to buy a tram ticket (or rent a golf cart), unless you want to add a mini marathon into your zoo trip. With the tram, you can see around 80% of the zoo from the road in about half an hour. Add another one or two hours if you want to explore it more thoroughly. The animals look well-fed but also quite lonely. Some sensitive Western visitors might feel that certain enclosures are too small. Personally, I don’t think it’s that bad. The zoo is clean, well maintained, and the animals seem to be taken care of properly. The only real con, I’d say, is that the staff here are a bit too chill. The local stereotype about northern Thais being slow might actually be true. I went specifically for the red panda feeding session and arrived before the scheduled time. The staff didn’t show up at all, even after 40 minutes. In the end, I had to call the zoo and report it before anyone came. This was especially frustrating because I had just seen an official press post from a week ago informing the schedule, and I rushed my whole morning just to be there on time. I’ve never had this kind of issue at other zoos. I liked the experience overall. It’s very sparse and literally located in the jungle, so the animals are actually living within nature. The vibe is great. I even got to feed hippos, so my life feels complete now. Compared to the Night Safari, this is a very different experience. This is a true old-school zoo: animals in cages, animals in boxes, boring their lives while you wander through a vast green, almost empty space at a relaxed pace. Night Safari, on the other hand, are packed with shows and activities, forcing you to rush from one spot to another to catch everything. I still prefer the Night Safari, though. PS: The dinosaur zone is basically a kid water park. Don’t fall for it, unless you think 5–6 dinosaur animatronics are worth the extra price.
No pandas (died)! No koalas (one old theoretically exists). No zebras! No reptiles - closed. Elephants (3) are closed in very tight woden cages from 15.30. Zero Australian animals-plastic koalas only. Birds park: several chicken & peasants, peacoc, 4 horn birds, several cranes. Big territory has a potential if good care. Very empty, very few animals to see: 3 gyraphs, 3 hipos, 10-12 kapibaras, 1 red panda, tiger, 3-5 lioness, 1 black puma, young flamingos. Bears didnt show off. From 5 "cats" listed only 1 exists, empty with no labels. 350 THB is not worth visiting. Make it 50 for all you propose. Additional fees: 50 for golf/tram car, 450 for aquarium- without any shows.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 10,550 reviews on Google.
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Tha Phae Gate
Free, open all hours, and best after dark when the brick gate is lit and the square fills up.

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Get there around 7pm, before the crowds land, and browse the whole stretch before you buy anything.

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Free hilltop temple where the crowd is mostly Thai worshippers, and the giant white-and-gold Buddha is visible for miles.
Chiang Mai Zoo: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chiang Mai Zoo worth visiting?
Chiang Mai Zoo holds a 3.9★ rating from 10,550 Google reviews. Reviews are mixed, so check recent visitor feedback above to see if it fits your plans.
What are the opening hours of Chiang Mai Zoo?
Chiang Mai Zoo is typically open 08:00-17:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai Zoo?
The best months to visit Chiang Mai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January & Songkran (April) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (smoke & heat).
Where is Chiang Mai Zoo located?
Chiang Mai Zoo is at 100 Huay Kaew Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, in Chiang Mai. Getting around Chiang Mai: Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks); Grab (available in city centre).
Location Info
100 Huay Kaew Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand+66 53 221 179chiangmai.zoothailand.org/Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)
Where to stay near Chiang Mai Zoo
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Tips for Visiting Activities & Tours
Vet Elephant Sanctuaries
Only visit sanctuaries that prohibit riding, use no chains or bullhooks, and let elephants roam freely. Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai set the standard. If a place offers painting shows or circus tricks, walk away.
Book Popular Activities Online
Booking platforms like GetYourGuide give you instant confirmation and, on many activities, free cancellation — and you can read recent reviews before committing. Compare with local agencies for multi-day trips where negotiation might save more.
Do Outdoor Activities in the Morning
Heat and humidity peak from noon to 3 PM. Schedule jungle treks, cycling tours, and outdoor cooking classes for early morning. Water activities are more flexible since you're in and out of the sea.
Nearby Places

Huay Keaw Waterfall
A short, shady waterfall stop at the edge of the city, best right after the rains.

Snowbuddy Winterland Chiang Mai Zoo
A rare indoor snow experience in Chiang Mai, located within the city's well-known zoo grounds.

Wang Bua Ban Pha Ngoep
Outdoor activity and tour operator on Huay Kaew Road, well-placed for exploring Chiang Mai's natural surroundings.

Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium
A combined zoo and aquarium on Doi Suthep's slopes, with two walk-under glass tunnels and expansive hilly grounds.
Similar Activities & Tours Across Thailand

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket
No rides, no shows, just feeding, mud and washing rescued elephants in the Kathu jungle.

Safari World
A full day out east of the city, and the shows are what people remember most.

Nongnooch Pattaya Garden
Half a day minimum, 500 acres of themed gardens and dinosaurs, and you'll want to be there by 8am.

Lumphini Park
Bangkok's green lung, free to enter, and full of water monitor lizards the size of your leg.
Where to stay near Chiang Mai Zoo
Find hotels in Chiang Mai on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)