Remember our demoralizing day at Guangzhou Zoo: a mix of disappointment, frustration, and disgust. Mistreated animals, shabby enclosures, and often disrespectful visitors marked the visit. It was primarily to escape this sad episode that we convinced ourselves the Xiangjiang Safari Park in Guangzhou would be a better experience, and we decided to give it a try. 

Owned by the Chimelong group and located south of Guangzhou in the Panyu district, Safari Park opened its doors in 1997. Since then, the zoological park has become a true natural sanctuary where more than 20,000 animals from many different species coexist. While entry to the Guangzhou Zoo was only 30 yuan, Safari Park now costs 200 yuan per adult and 100 yuan per child. The park is divided into two sections: first the zoo, which you explore on foot in the traditional way, followed of course by the Safari, to be discovered aboard a small train or in your personal vehicle for an additional charge of 200 yuan per vehicle. From the start, we greatly appreciate the fresh air and the surroundings. Away from the city, the park offers a peaceful, pollution-free natural haven. We spend a few minutes studying the zoo map and various information boards to organize our visit and make the most of our time without missing anything.

Our first encounter is with two giant tortoises that impress both young and old. A quick stroll through the monkey enclosures reassures us about the quality of the place: the habitat is impeccably maintained and provides an ideal living space for these primates.

The herbivores are equally impressive and appear far healthier than those we had seen at the Guangzhou Zoo.

A bit further on, we come across the famous monkey show that the Chinese are so fond of. Despite the more reassuring staging better suited to our animal friends, this type of performance always leaves us with a bitter taste...

We leave promptly and find ourselves in a humid Amazonian atmosphere where numerous species of birds coexist, before accessing a section of the park closed to the public where families of monkeys of every imaginable variety reside.

The visit continues through the realm of big cats, which we've been eagerly anticipating. Lions, leopards, tigers, white tigers... the felines appear in excellent health and are truly wonderful to observe.

For 10 yuan, visitors have the opportunity to feed the beasts by tossing them fresh meat, a reminder that we're still in Chine. Anything to make a profit!

A mandatory stop at the nursery where we can observe the newborns. Treated like real children, some are housed in incubators with stuffed animals as comfort objects. Cubs, lion cubs, wolf pups... all are so adorable and endearing that visitors crowd around them.

To our great delight (and for an extra 30 yuan...), we're given the opportunity to feed and hold a baby tiger in our arms for a few precious moments.

Now it's time to head toward the park's main attraction, the Safari itself. Slightly anxious about encountering hordes of Chinese visitors waiting in line, we're pleasantly surprised when we arrive and find only about ten people ahead of us. Without a personal vehicle, the small train proves to be the only viable option.

The train moves at a moderate pace and takes care to slow down in front of each enclosure. Photo quality suffers somewhat, but that doesn't prevent us from enjoying the atmosphere and the authentic scenery. Large open spaces allow giraffes, zebras, and other wild animals to roam together. Accustomed to regular passages by cars and the small train, the animals have no fear, and some even venture across the road for our sheer delight.

 Fully satisfied with this brief ride, we conclude the visit with a stop at the panda enclosure. Unlike Guangzhou Zoo, these creatures seem to be enjoying themselves and appreciate this environment specially designed for their wellbeing.

Overall, this Safari Park has essentially reconciled us with zoos. Better-treated animals, pleasant surroundings, impeccably maintained enclosures—nothing to complain about except perhaps the entry price, which is slightly steep for Chine. This day will remain a very fond memory, and we recommend this Safari Park to all nature and animal lovers. Address: Ying Bin Lu, Panyu District, Guangzhou (长隆野生动物乐园，广州番禺迎宾路) Metro: Hanxi Changlong Opening hours: 9am - 11pm