Qingdao is famous for its salubrious climate and picturesque setting and is a favourite holiday destination which makes it the ideal place to locate a wild animal park.

Qingdao Forest Wild Animal World, located near the Xiaozhushan National Forest Park on Pearl Mountain, covers an area of 122 ha and houses 154 species of animals and birds totaling a population of 5,092 from almost every ecological zone around the world that are displayed in areas mimicking their natural habitat in a theme park like setting. The natural environment of the park with waterfalls, lakes and forested areas lends itself well to displaying animals in their natural environment which is considerably enhanced with artistically designed hidden barriers to separate the animals from visitors.

The safari park like atmosphere is infectious and visitors get that away from home feeling on entering the park premises. Animal displays are in natural looking themed areas. The park’s collection of big cats that range from lions, tigers, cheetahs, endangered white Bengal tigers and leopards are in one zone along with ostriches, zebras, rhinos, hippos and giraffes artfully separated by hidden barriers. Its prized exhibit of Siberian Tigers, the largest felines in the world are in a separate enclosure. Among the many species of birds in Animal World are peacocks that have their own enclosure known as Peacock House with facilities to strut about and display their beautiful plumage. Parrot Hall is another colourful and spacious aviary where parrots from various continents make a din that can be heard all around. Wild Animal World also has a popular Pandas display where the cuddly creatures are found devouring bamboo shoots any time of day. A flock of flamingos and other water birds hang around the lake while Kangaroos and other animals from ‘down under’ have their own homelike habitat. The park also has a considerable collection of monkeys and apes from Asia and Africa and aquatic and marine mammals such as dolphins, seals and otters among other species.

Visitors to the park can spend the whole day there not only enjoying the animal exhibits but relaxing in a beautiful natural environment and attending shows and performances featuring a range of animals and dances from around the world that take place daily. Feeding domestic animals is a great hit with the children. During winter the park takes on a different atmosphere and some animals like the Siberian Tiger feel quite at home in the cold. One of the biggest attractions at the park is a 5 meter high 1,000 meter long pedestrian bridge spanning a valley from which visitors can have a bird’s eye view of the exhibits below. Walking around in a large area with young ones in tow can be quite tiresome. Visitors can avail of battery powered cars and cable cars to overcome difficult situations.

In a part of town that is close to many shopping, entertainment, business and city attractions Copthorne hotel Qingdao is definitely one of the better places to stay when on a business or leisure visit to the city. As a prominent hotel in Qingdao guests are assured of spacious, well appointed contemporary accommodation and host of facilities and amenities that will make a stay at one of well known Qingdao hotels a pleasure.