Hong Kong Zoological And Botanical Gardens

Let me start with by saying this cool little monkey park is FREE!
I was buzzing around Hong Kong showing a visiting friend Hong Kong the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception around the corner on Caine Road when I said we were going to walk through the Zoological Park because it was right here. Little did I know exactly what this was and I am so glad we walked through.
Like the beautiful open spaces of Hong Kong Park, this area houses the what I am calling the «monkey park» and great green open spaces. Yes, I know the caged animals can be upsetting to many who want them to be free, but if I was a monkey and my fate was to live in Hong Kong, this place would be an ideal set up. Cages, food and public areas all seemed cleaned and well cared for. This is a place to browse, learn, explore, sit, bring kids and the family.
The monkeys and other squirrel, raccoon, etc. species were awesome! Nothing smelled bad as was noted in other reviews and the entire area is blanketed in trees and brush with a jungle like feel, this place was cool. Maybe things smell bad in the summer when it is really humid and hot. Bring a kid, they would love this! A lot of different monkey variatals from monkeys to orangutans. Swinging, sleeping, playing, yelling… it is a true monkey zoo! Lots of baby monkeys too… super cute!
It then is connected via a subway to cross the busy Albany Road to the botanical piece of the park, including open spaces, big fountains and more trees. The place is hilly, full of stairs and not near the MTR, so make note if you or someone you are with cannot navigate this kind of terrain. Entering the park from the Caine Road side is the best way to enter the side of the park that houses all the monkeys. If you walk up the hill from the Peak Tram area, you enter the park on the botanical side first and is more uphill and more steps/​stairs to get to the monkey side of the park. Starting at the Caine Road side and moving West to East makes your journey more downhill than uphill if you cross through the entire park (clearly the opposite if you go the other direction).
If you long for lingering time in the outdoors and open spaces, this the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens will not disappoint. And did I mention FREE!

Nice oasis. The walk has some very steep parts be aware. Restroom is amazingly and surprisingly clean. The refreshment area’s menu is understandably limited but the seating area is very relaxing and tranquil.

We checked out this place today since we had nothing else to do and were glad we came. This place has a lot of birds, monkeys, flamingos, lemurs, etc. All of these animals were caged and to my surprise, the smell wasn’t bad. Additionally, they have free WiFi in the park and admissions was also free.

Some zoo are sad. Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens are kinda of one of those.
We don’t really have a zoo here in HK. Big zoos in Berlin or Queensland always impress me. But we have a tiny one that you can finish walking within an hour. The only advantage is it’s located quite at Central/​Mid-​Levels, which is easily accessible to most people. It was there only because it was historically located next to the Government House. Otherwise in today’s standard, the land would have been reserved for high rises and the Gardens would have been located somewhere remote in N.T.
But beyond all points, it’s still the old school zoo. Animals-​in-​the-​cage kind. Not the animal-​friendly kind. The orangutans were probably the most prominent animals there and also with the most living space. Again, none of them were living in a ridiculously tiny cages, but some of them were somehow subpar, all due to the fact it’s after all, Hong Kong. And for reptiles, there were a lot of turtles, one Chinese alligator and one Burmese python we both missed, and that’s about it. There used to be a jaguar but since she died in 2008, the government decided the zoo doesn’t really have sufficient space for these big fellas, and not replacing her.
It’s still a perfect nice walk over a Sunday afternoon anyway. Look, it’s somewhere refreshing, not crowded (at all), and a lot of greens. And it’s free.
And despite all my feelings about the cages, the animals seem to be very well treated and happy. Of course, I’d never know if they are ACTUALLY happy, but at least from my observation, they were enjoying the Sunday as much as I did. Some of them more so than the others (see the pic of the turtles).

If you want to see animals, I am sure most people would go for Ocean Park. However, did it ever occur to you that there is one place that you can also see animals in Hong Kong, and above all, it is free entry of all time? It is located on Albany Road and you have no idea how big Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens is.
One of the centre pieces is the Fountain in the middle, which is rather magnificent sight. I do not know much about flowers and trees so I will just give it a pass; for me, the animals are the focus of this place. There are quite a wide range of animals including birds, mammals and even throw crawlies, oh I mean reptiles… However, warn you that most animals are housed in a rather small cage (well, that explains the free entry), I wish the authority would do something about that sooner as it certainly does not look nice and the animals do not look like they enjoy much there…
Anyway, if you are looking for a getaway from all the hustle and bustle in the city, come here and enjoy the tranquility of this garden. Mind you that you better bring some water and food before you get here and I did not really see I could get them anywhere last time. And make sure you bring mosquitoes spray… especially during summer it is crazy over there. Sunscreen and umbrella in case of adverse weather too.

The only reason I’m dropping one star in the review is because I would probably prefer it if zoos didn’t exist in general, but this one seems to be being responsible and haven’t replaced the larger animals as they have passed away. For example, the jaguar enclosure has been converted into a lemur enclosure since the big cat (which is now taxidermed and on display in the museum) died years ago.
These gardens are completely free which is mins boggling as it is maintained to a phenomenal standard. If I have some time on my hands, I love to stroll from my Mid Levels home through the gardens on my way to Pacific Place or Admiralty. Even without the animals, the vegetation is lush and beautiful enough to justify the walk. I enter from the gate by the lemur enclosure on Albany Road and then take in the birds. The flamingoes are my favourite but the mackaws are a close second.
Next I head through the tunnel to check out the monkeys. The orang-​utans make me sad but the smaller primates seem really happy and sometimes strike up a chorus — the noise in incredible.
The reptile house is also worth a peek if slithery things don’t scare you.
If, like me, you enjoy watching the animals for a fair bit of time, mosquito spray is a must. There are mosquito traps peppered around but they aren’t enough! Be warned.
The paths are wide enough and well paved enough for prams so perfect for mums. Be prepared for a climb if you enters from down the hill.