Taipei: Zoo Entrance Ticket

This combo ticket is interesting because it strings together two of Taipei’s best-known highlights in one plan: Taipei Zoo and the Maokong Gondola. You spend the morning with animals, then you switch gears to a scenic ride that climbs toward Maokong Mountain.

I like that Taipei Zoo is the largest zoo in Asia, with over 400 wildlife types, including pandas, giraffes, hippos, lions, flamingos, koalas, penguins, and more. I also like the glass-bottom gondola cabin, because the Maokong ride is a full 30 minutes and built around views as you travel up the mountain.

One drawback to plan for is timing and ticket handling. You must redeem your QR code for paper tickets at two different places, and the zoo closes to new entry at 4:00 PM (opening is 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). If you arrive late, you can miss part of the zoo.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Low-cost combo value that pairs Taipei Zoo entry with Maokong Gondola access
• 400+ wildlife types across pandas, giraffes, hippos, lions, koalas, penguins, and more
• 30-minute gondola ride on a scenic cable car with a glass-bottom cabin
• Maokong Mountain tea area with views over Taipei City
• Two-location QR redemption required for paper entry tickets

Why the Taipei Zoo and Maokong Gondola combo is such good value

At around $4.19 per person, this is the kind of deal that makes you double-check your phone to make sure you are reading it right. You are not just paying for a quick stop either. You get an all-day style attraction in Taipei Zoo plus a separate 30-minute mountain ride on the gondola.

What makes the price feel especially fair is the pairing. Taipei Zoo can easily take a big chunk of a day because it covers a wide mix of animals and also focuses on conservation, education, research, and recreation. The gondola then turns that day into something more than just walking. You get an elevated perspective over Taipei City.

A good way to think about it: the zoo is your up-close experience. The Maokong Gondola is your change of pace, with the kind of views that make you slow down and look around.

How the QR code and paper ticket redemption works at two different sites

This ticket is not one single scan and go. You redeem at each attraction separately, then you enter with the paper tickets the system prints out for you.

Here is the practical flow I recommend you plan for:

• Taipei Zoo redemption: Go to the Online Ticket Redemption Area at the Taipei Zoo Main Entrance. It is about a 2-minute walk from Taipei Zoo Station on the Wenhu Line.
• Maokong Gondola redemption: Go to Maokong Gondola Taipei Zoo South Station.

At each location, scan your digital QR code via the ticketing machine to get paper tickets, then hand those tickets to staff to enter. That means you should keep your QR code ready and keep your phone charged.

Also, because redemption is split between two places, build in a little slack. Even if everything goes smoothly, the extra handoff steps can take time, especially during busier hours.

Taipei Zoo: largest-in-Asia animals, plus a conservation-minded setting

Taipei Zoo is widely known for being the largest zoo in Asia, and it is home to over 400 wildlife types. That scale matters because it changes how you experience it. Instead of bouncing between a few exhibits, you will likely move through multiple themed areas and animal types across the day.

You can expect a mix of familiar favorites and less typical zoo residents. The ticket information highlights animals such as pandas, giraffes, hippos, tapirs, lions, flamingos, koalas, insects, kangaroos, penguins, and more. Even if you do not see every single exhibit, the variety alone is worth planning time for.

I also appreciate that Taipei Zoo is described as dedicated to conservation, education, research, and recreation. That does not mean it is a lecture hall. It means the place is set up to be more than just viewing animals. If you are traveling with kids, this kind of mission tends to make the day feel more purposeful, not just busy.

Practical zoo advice, based on how these large parks usually work:

• Wear comfortable shoes. You are going to walk.
• Go with a loose plan. Pick a few “must-see” animals first, then let the rest guide you.
• If you want the least rush, start earlier rather than trying to see everything late in the day.

The Maokong Gondola ride: glass-bottom cabin for 30 minutes of scenic city views

After the zoo, you head to the Maokong Gondola, where the ride itself becomes the highlight. This gondola system is described as the first one in Taipei City, and it runs as a scenic cable car up toward Maokong Mountain.

The ride time is a full 30 minutes, and it includes a glass-bottom cabin. That matters if you like a view that feels a bit more immersive than a normal sightseeing window. You can look down as you move along the route, which is a fun contrast to the animal close-ups you just had.

As you travel up, you get scenic views over Taipei City. Maokong Mountain is also famous for locally grown tea, which adds a nice cultural layer to the ride even if your main goal is simply sightseeing.

One more thing I like about gondola rides like this: they reset your pace. Zoos can be nonstop walking. A gondola gives you a seated break where your focus shifts to the city below and the mountain climb ahead.

Timing your day: fit the zoo hours and still enjoy the gondola

The zoo opening hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entry at 4:00 PM. That last entry detail is key. If you want a relaxed zoo visit, try to be in position to enter well before 4:00 PM.

Because the Maokong Gondola ride is 30 minutes, it fits nicely into the day without turning your plan into a complicated math problem. The bigger timing variable is simply how long you take inside the zoo and how much time you spend on the QR-to-paper redemption steps.

Here is a simple schedule logic that usually works:

• Morning: redeem and enter Taipei Zoo near the opening.
• Late afternoon: make your way to Maokong Gondola for the 30-minute ride.

If your day is running tight, prioritize what you care about most. You can only fully enjoy the zoo if you have enough time to wander and look. If you rush, you will spend the last hour trying to catch up instead of actually enjoying the animals.

Also remember: your ticket is described as valid for 1 day, and starting times depend on availability. So once you know your travel date and your preferred start time, lock it in early enough to avoid last-minute surprises.

Who this day ticket suits best, and who might want a different plan

This is a strong match if you want one Taipei day that feels like two different experiences. You get animal viewing at Taipei Zoo, plus a scenic ride with views and a glass-bottom cabin on the Maokong Gondola.

It also fits families. The zoo is positioned around education and recreation, and the variety of animals listed makes it easier to find something that keeps kids engaged. Even adults often enjoy zoos more when they know the place covers more than just a handful of animal exhibits.

If you love skyline views and you like taking a break from walking, the gondola portion adds a lot. It is not just transportation. It is a sightseeing experience built around a mountain climb and city views.

If you are traveling with limited mobility, the good news is that this activity is marked as wheelchair accessible. Still, for a zoo and a gondola, you will want to think about comfort and how much time you want to spend walking inside the zoo grounds.

Practical tips that make the day smoother

A few things I would do to make this day run without stress:

• Keep your QR code accessible and easy to scan. You are redeeming at two locations.
• Plan for paper ticket handling. You scan the QR, then you hand the paper tickets to staff.
• Put footwear high on your packing list. Zoos are walking days.
• Be mindful of the zoo closing window. With last entry at 4:00 PM, you do not want to treat the zoo like something you can start late.

Also, if you are the type who likes checking off “the biggest things first,” the zoo is your anchor. Since it is the largest in Asia and has 400+ wildlife types, you will get the most satisfaction from starting strong, then letting the gondola act as the reward.

One more value point: you are combining a major entrance ticket with the gondola day pass option in a single purchase. That is helpful for planning, because it reduces the number of separate decisions you need to make once you arrive.

Should you book this Taipei Zoo and Maokong Gondola day pass?

I would book this if you want a low-cost Taipei day that mixes animals with real viewpoints. The math is compelling at about $4.19 per person, especially because you are paying for a large, full zoo visit plus a separate 30-minute scenic gondola ride with glass-bottom views.

I would think twice if your schedule is tight around the zoo closing time. The zoo last entry is 4:00 PM, and the ticket redemption requires you to handle paper tickets at two different spots. If you know you will arrive late or you dislike logistics, you might feel rushed.

If you can start in the morning, this is the kind of plan that tends to leave you feeling you used your time well. You see a lot, you get a break with the gondola, and you finish the day with Maokong Mountain views over Taipei City.

Also, it is described with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund and a reserve now, pay later option. That flexibility is useful if your Taipei schedule is still a bit fluid.

FAQ

What is included in the Taipei Zoo and Maokong Gondola ticket?

The ticket includes an entrance ticket to Taipei Zoo. There is also an option that bundles Taipei Zoo entrance with a Maokong Gondola day pass.

Do I need to redeem the QR code for paper tickets?

Yes. You scan your digital QR code at the ticketing machine to redeem paper tickets, then you hand those paper tickets to staff for entry.

Where do I redeem the ticket for Taipei Zoo entrance?

Redeem at the Online Ticket Redemption Area at the Taipei Zoo Main Entrance. It is about a 2-minute walk from Taipei Zoo Station on the Wenhu Line.

Where do I redeem the ticket for the Maokong Gondola?

Redeem at Maokong Gondola Taipei Zoo South Station.

What are the Taipei Zoo opening hours?

Taipei Zoo is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entry at 4:00 PM.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, this activity is marked as wheelchair accessible.