Chiang Mai Zoo was established in 1974 and for much of its existence offered the standard fare many zoos around the world offer. However, its popularity soared over recent years with the Chinese government’s loan to Thailand of two pandas – ‘Chuang Chuang’ and ‘Lin Hui’ (‘Tewan’ and ‘Tewee’ in Thai). The pandas are housed in a new purpose-built wing of Chiang Mai Zoo, and since their arrival the zoo has seen a dramatic increase in the number of domestic and foreign visitors. This is one of the few occasions outside China you might get to see a Panda - as a result Chiang Mai Zoo has quickly become a high priority on a visitor’s itinerary. However, the zoo has more to offer than just the pandas. Chiang Mai Zoo is on the Doi Suthep route and situated at the foot of the mountain, providing a natural habitat for the zoo’s various species of animals.
Details: If you are visiting the zoo to see the pandas, the best time for a visit is 09:00 when the enclosure is opened and the pandas fed. The zoo is open 08:00 to 18:00 and admission is 100 Baht (adults) and 50 Baht (children) if you want to see the pandas, although this is on top of the usual fee of 30 Baht (adults) and 5 Baht (children).
How to get there: Chiang Mai Zoo is located at the Huay Kaew Road. Probably the easiest way to get there is Tuk-Tuk, but Songtaews going to Doi Suthep also take you to the zoo. Bus number 3 also goes past the zoo.
Contact:
Chiang Mai Zoo
100 Huay Kaew Road
Maung District
Chiang Mai
50200
Tel: (053) 221-179
There is a website dedicated to news related to the pandas: www.PandaThailand.org
Hotels in the Chiang Mai Zoo locality 
Restaurants and bars in the Chiang Mai Zoo locality 
