Chiang Mai Zoo - Hits & Misses

[LawrenceChee]

Was at the zoo yesterday with the missus and boy and it was a good day to hit the zoo in the cooler weather

Paid the local rate which is a huge difference from the tourist one

390 baht including admission to the aquarium , the seperate bus / monorail pass at 100 baht is strongly recommended

The park is a long walk for the fit and for those with difficulty walking for long periods impossible ...I cannot think of anyone who would climb to the top for the gibbons and sole rhino

Some exhibits were great for kids, the kid zone is laughable and worth a skip and they are renovating the Africa exhibits which is great to see

As we have been to the pandas before we skipped that as u have to pay an extra 135 baht for the seperate entry

The aquarium which has been redone is good in the afternoon heat the aircon and dark surroundings make it a nap inducing moment , the tunnels were not working although it has bells and whistles to keep the kids going wow

The zoo has its usuals mods of feeding elephants, horse rides and elephants and it keeps the kids happy

Of course not a review unless I say something about the food ...the good centre is not expensive at 40/50 baht a plate not the tastiest street food but it keeps one going

A good visit for 4/5 hours of fun

[circusman]

We went Monday. Very few people, and no school classes of hundreds. Not our first time there. I cannot understand why they built a zoo on the side of a hill. It is pretty much all hill walking unless you get the transport. One other thing I noticed as there are not a lot of animals in this zoo. At least those that can be seen. Exhibits of one animal are not very interesting. The ongoing building of the new Africa exhibit is going to require a lot more zebras, giraffe and others to fill the huge area.

The aquarium tubes for human walking had so many steps I almost turned around and left. Why not make it one continuous ramp, one level? Also, the view wasn't that good of fish etc. due too excess algae on the plastic tube you walk through. Best part of the day was the feeling we had the place nearly to ourselves.

[elektrified]

"Paid the local rate which is a huge difference from the tourist one. 390 baht including admission to the aquarium , the seperate bus / monorail pass at 100 baht is strongly recommended."

I've never paid more than the 50 or 80 Baht or whatever the entry fee with Thai DL is to see the zoo, Pandas, aquarium, etc. Been perhaps 10-12 times with my kid, etc. I've said this a few times...befriend a tuk tuk driver who works in the tourist areas. They are given book fulls of coupons for free entry to Panda, aquarium, etc. You have to ask for them. 490 Baht p/p is a silly amount to pay for entry to a small zoo in any country of the world.

Same with the Night Safari....50 Baht...

[LawrenceChee]

That's a great tip !

[beb]

I'm not a big fan of zoos as I typically start feeling sorry for the animals but this one was surprisingly good. One of the best I've been to.

[terminatorchiangmai]

Next time try the Night Safari during day time.