Beijing Opens 13,000 sqm Giant Panda Exhibit to Public

Beijing Zoo officially opened its new 13,000-square-meter giant panda exhibit to the public on July 16, 2026, marking a major upgrade to the zoo’s facilities as it celebrates its 120th anniversary. The new exhibit, which houses five of the zoo’s ten giant pandas — including the wildly popular “Menglan” — is China’s first animal facility to receive the highest Green Building Three-Star certification, according to Xinhua News.

A Century of Panda Conservation

Beijing Zoo, founded in 1906 during the late Qing Dynasty, is China’s oldest public zoo and has been home to giant pandas since 1955. Previous panda facilities were built for landmark events: the Asian Games Panda Hall in 1990 and the Olympic Panda Hall for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The new exhibit represents the next chapter in this tradition, built as a “grand gift” for the zoo’s 120th anniversary, as Beijing Time reported.

A High-Tech Home for National Treasures

The 13,000-square-meter facility features four indoor exhibition halls, five animal rooms, and five outdoor exercise yards. Designed under the principle of “light intervention, micro-renewal,” the exhibit preserves two century-old elm trees and retains original historical structures, walls, and paving. The landscape follows a classical Chinese garden layout with covered walkways connecting courtyards and rain gardens, organized into four themed zones: White Water Flowing, Orchid Creek Valley, Wanglang Wilderness, and Thousand Peaks Emerald.

Technology plays a central role in the new facility. A Smart Animal Housing Management System provides intelligent security, health monitoring, and environmental automation. A custom spray system delivers timed misting for cooling during summer heat, while smart temperature control and fresh air systems maintain optimal conditions. The facility’s exterior uses bamboo-textured molded concrete panels made from recycled materials, and BIM digital technology was employed throughout construction to support smart operations and maintenance.

Beijing Zoo Deputy Director Lu Yanping explained that the new exhibit is “equipped with fixed climbing frames and movable enrichment items such as tires and balls, restoring the natural living conditions of giant pandas as much as possible,” as reported by Xinhua.

The Star Residents

Five pandas have taken up residence in the new facility: Menglan, Baitian, Jinian, Fujiang, and Fuxing. Menglan, known for his playful and energetic personality, has amassed a significant following as the zoo’s “star panda.” His new enclosure features rock rest areas and anti-climb walls to ensure safety, as Beijing Zoo Deputy Director Mu Ningning confirmed to Xinhua.

The remaining five pandas — including Meng’er and Dian Dian — continue to be housed at the Asian Games Hall. The Olympic Hall has been converted to a rear support area and is temporarily closed for public display. The zoo plans to implement a rotation system, meaning different pandas will be on display at different times, offering a unique experience with each visit.

Visitor Experience and Commercial Upgrades

The new exhibit features a circular tour route designed to alleviate crowd pressure, with visitor flow and logistics flow vertically separated for safety. To mark the opening, the zoo has released limited-edition commemorative tickets featuring traditional Chinese-style panda illustrations. Commercial offerings have been significantly upgraded, including panda-themed cultural creative products, specialty beverages, panda-shaped ice pops, and a new Panda Coffee concept.

Broader Significance

The opening of the new exhibit underscores China’s ongoing commitment to giant panda conservation. The species was downgraded from “Endangered” to “Vulnerable” by the IUCN in 2021, thanks largely to Chinese conservation efforts spanning decades of breeding programs and habitat protection. As a flagship species and national symbol, the giant panda continues to serve as an ambassador for wildlife conservation both domestically and internationally.

The new facility’s Green Building Three-Star certification sets a new benchmark for zoo infrastructure in China, potentially influencing standards at other zoological parks across the country. For Beijing Zoo, the exhibit represents not only a celebration of 120 years of history but also a forward-looking investment in animal welfare, public education, and sustainable urban wildlife facilities.

What to Watch

As the summer tourist season peaks, the new exhibit is expected to draw significant crowds to Beijing Zoo. Questions remain about whether the zoo will eventually renovate and reopen the Olympic Hall for public display, and whether this facility will serve as a model for similar upgrades at other Chinese zoos. For now, visitors can look forward to seeing Menglan and his companions in what may be the most technologically advanced panda habitat in the country.