Hongshan Forest Zoo

More than 3,000 animals call this tree-blanketed hill home, including rare native species like cuddly giant pandas and ginger-furred snub-nosed monkeys.

Quite randomly, the sprawling zoo has a dedicated ‘Australian area’ to accommodate all animals from the land down under.

Note for sensitive visitors: China’s zoo culture is rather different from the West, which can be exemplified by adults dangling toddlers over the edge of the Tiger Mountain to gain a better view, or kids banging on the glass walls to get the attention of gorillas.