Exploring Taipei Zoo and Maokong Gondola with Kids — A Complete Day Plan

Taipei Zoo isn't just any zoo — it's the largest in Asia (165 hectares) and home to over 2,400 animals across more spacious habitats than most Asian zoos. Combine that with the Maokong Gondola that takes you up into the tea mountains of southern Taipei, and you've got one of the best full-day family outings in Taiwan. The trick? You need a plan. The zoo is huge, and doing both without strategy means tired legs, missed animals, and hangry kids. Here's our tested route.

Getting There

Address: No. 30, Section 2, Xinguang Road, Wenshan District, Taipei
MRT: Take the Wenhu Line (Brown Line) to Taipei Zoo Station — it's the last stop, easy!
Opening hours: 9:00am–5:00pm daily (closed on Chinese New Year's Eve and the first Monday of each month if it's a holiday)
Admission: NT$100/adult ($3.20 USD), NT$50/child ($1.60 USD) — ridiculously affordable. Free for children under 6.

The zoo is directly connected to the MRT station — you walk out and you're at the entrance. This is the one zoo in Asia where renting a stroller before you visit is a genuinely good idea (NT$100 rental available at the information center near the entrance).

Part 1: Taipei Zoo — The Must-See Route (3–4 hours)

The zoo is split into two main areas connected by a shuttle train: the Upper Area (larger animals, more space) and the Lower Area (smaller animals, the famous panda house). Despite the names, you actually start at the top and work your way down — ride the shuttle train up immediately, then walk downhill through the exhibits. Trust us on this.

Stop 1: Formosan Animal Area (Upper Zone)

The first exhibit after getting off the shuttle is the Formosan Animal Area — Taiwan's endemic species. Kids will love: the Formosan black bears (Taiwan's version of a teddy bear — distinctive white V on their chest), the Formosan sika deer, and the Formosan clouded leopard (critically endangered, a special viewing window). The signage is in Mandarin and English.

Kid tip: Get the kids to spot the 'V' on the black bear's chest. They'll count how many they can see.

Stop 2: Children's Zoo (Mid-Zone)

This is the zone designed specifically for young children — a petting area with goats, rabbits, and guinea pigs; a large 'Dinosaur Discovery' area (life-sized animatronic dinosaurs); and a water-play station (bring a change of clothes if it's warm). The petting area has hand-washing stations and sanitizing spray, which we appreciated.

The Dinosaur Discovery area was a surprise hit — the dinosaurs move and roar, and there's a fossil dig pit where kids can 'discover' dinosaur bones with a brush. Our 5-year-old test child refused to leave for 30 minutes.

Stop 3: The Penguin Area (Lower Zone, Indoor)

Hidden gem: the penguin enclosure is one of the best in Asia. A massive walk-through tunnel lets you see king penguins swimming above and around you. The enclosure is kept at a cool temperature (around 10°C), which feels amazing on a hot Taipei day. Bring a light jacket or just enjoy the shock of cold air.

Right next door: the Koala House — Taipei Zoo has one of the best koala exhibits outside Australia, with multiple koalas visible at close range (they're usually awake in the morning feeding period).

Stop 4: Giant Panda House (Lower Zone)

The star attraction. Taipei Zoo is famous for its giant pandas — Yuan Yuan and Tuan Tuan, and their cub Yuan Zai (born in 2013, a rare success in captivity). The panda house is spacious with indoor and outdoor viewing areas. The pandas are most active in the morning (9am–11am) — by afternoon they're usually napping.

Kid-approved: 'The panda was eating bamboo and didn't even look up. She was so lazy. I loved her.' — Sophie, age 8, USA.

Don't miss: The panda gift shop has excellent quality plush pandas (NT$350–500) — surprisingly well-made for a zoo gift shop. Skip the cheap plastic toys at the entrance and buy a panda here instead.

Stop 5: Tropical Rainforest Area (Lower Zone)

A large outdoor enclosure with orangutans on a high ropes course (they have a aerial pathway that runs above the walking paths — kids love spotting them overhead), tapirs, and various monkey species. The viewing decks are well-shaded.

Lunch Strategy

Two good options: the zoo food court (located between the upper and lower zones) is basic but fine — expect bento boxes (NT$120–180), noodles (NT$100), and bubble tea (NT$60). It gets crowded at 12pm on weekends.

Better plan: buy bento boxes at the MRT station convenience store (7-Eleven or FamilyMart) before you arrive. Picnic at one of the many shaded bench areas in the zoo. The food is better and cheaper, and you avoid the queues.

Part 2: Maokong Gondola (Afternoon, 2–3 hours)

Location: The gondola base station is directly next to Taipei Zoo Station — you walk out of the zoo's main gate and it's a 5-minute walk.
Hours: 9:00am–9:00pm (extended on weekends and holidays)
Price: NT$120 one-way/adult ($3.90 USD), NT$50/child ($1.60 USD). Group discounts available.

The Maokong Gondola takes you on a 30-minute ride over the hills of Wenshan District into the tea farming villages of Maokong Mountain. The views are spectacular — on a clear day, you can see Taipei 101, the Taipei Basin, and even the mountains of Yangmingshan. The most fun part: the Glass Floor Gondola (水晶纜車) — a car with a transparent floor. Request it at the station (same price, just wait a few minutes for availability). Watching the forest floor disappear beneath your feet is thrilling for kids.

Parent tip: If your child is afraid of heights, stick to the standard gondola. The glass floor is cool but can be unnerving for sensitive kids. The ride is smooth — no swinging or jerking — which helps.

What to Do at Maokong

Maokong village is all about tea. The mountain is famous for Tieguanyin (Iron Goddess) oolong tea, and the hillsides are covered in tea plantations. Family activities:

Tea tasting at a traditional teahouse: Most teahouses are family-friendly. Yizhi'an Teahouse is the most kid-accommodating — they have English menus, and the staff are used to families. Try the cold-brew oolong with honey (kids love it) and the tea-flavored ice cream. A tea tasting set is NT$200–300.

Walking the tea trails: Short walking paths wind through the tea fields. The main loop is about 1km (30 minutes at a kid's pace) and is stroller-friendly (paved paths). The views of Taipei from the top are stunning.

The Maokong Skywalk: A (mostly) glass suspension bridge at the top of the mountain. It's short (about 60 meters) and wide enough to be safe, but the transparent floor section gets gasps from kids. Free to walk.

Kid-approved: 'The train in the sky was the best part. We could see our house... no wait, that was Taipei 101. It looked tiny!' — Leo, age 6.

Dinner on the mountain: Many teahouses serve light meals — tea-flavored noodles (NT$150), fried chicken with tea leaves (NT$200), and tea rice (NT$100). The sunset view from Maokong is worth staying for.

Getting Down

The gondola runs until 9pm (10pm on weekends), so there's no rush. You can also take a bus from Maokong back down (about 20 minutes) — but the gondola is faster and more comfortable.

If the gondola queue is long (which happens at sunset), the Maokong bus (BR15 or S10) is a good alternative — it winds down the mountain and drops you at Taipei Zoo MRT station.

Complete Day Schedule

• 8:30am — Arrive at Taipei Zoo MRT. Buy bento boxes at 7-Eleven. Rent a stroller at the zoo entrance.
• 9:00am — Zoo opens. Ride shuttle train to Upper Zone immediately (beat the crowds).
• 9:15am–10:30am — Formosan Animal Area + Children's Zoo (pandas are still awake!)
• 10:30am–12:00pm — Walk downhill through Penguin House → Koala House → Panda House
• 12:00pm–1:00pm — Picnic lunch at a shaded bench (or the food court if you prefer).
• 1:00pm–2:00pm — Finish the lower zone (Tropical Rainforest, optional additional exhibits).
• 2:00pm–2:15pm — Walk to Maokong Gondola base station (5 minutes from zoo exit).
• 2:15pm–2:45pm — Gondola ride up. Request Glass Floor car if desired.
• 2:45pm–5:00pm — Maokong: tea tasting, walking trails, Skywalk, tea snacks.
• 5:00pm–5:30pm — Sunset gondola ride down (check sunset time — aim for 30 minutes before).
• 5:45pm — Back at Taipei Zoo MRT. Perfect timing to go back to your hotel for a rest before dinner.

Weekend warning: The Maokong Gondola can have 45-minute queues on weekends between 3pm and 5pm. Either go early or stay late — don't queue at peak.

Budget Breakdown (For a Family of 4)

• Zoo tickets: NT$300 ($10 USD)
• Stroller rental: NT$100 ($3 USD)
• Shuttle train (one-way): NT$200 ($6 USD) — NT$50/person
• Maokong Gondola (round trip): NT$340 ($11 USD) — NT$85/adult, NT$50/child
• Lunch: NT$400 ($13 USD) — bento boxes from 7-Eleven
• Tea snacks: NT$300 ($10 USD)
• Panda souvenir: NT$350 ($11 USD)
• Total: ~NT$1,990 ($64 USD) for a full day

This is one of the best value family days in all of Asia. For under $70 USD for a family of four, you get a world-class zoo, a scenic gondola ride, tea culture, and sunset mountain views. Taipei does family travel right.