Dalian Forest Zoo Cable Car: Save Time & Avoid Crowds

Rained out. Crowds everywhere. And the cable car line—ridiculous. That was my first time at Dalian Forest Zoo. But after leading dozens of groups through this park, I've figured out exactly how to make the cable car part smooth and actually enjoyable. Here's the thing: the Dalian Forest Zoo cable car isn't just a ride—it's the best way to see the zoo's layout from above and save your legs. But if you don't plan, you'll waste hours in queues. Let me walk you through everything I wish I'd known.

Overview: What Makes This Cable Car Special

Spanning from the zoo's south gate to the north gate, the Dalian Forest Zoo cable car (also called a gondola) glides over the animal enclosures and gives you a bird's-eye view of the entire valley. It's a 15-minute one-way trip, and you can see the pandas, giraffes, and even the big cats from above. But here's the catch: the cable car has two separate sections—the first connects the south gate to a middle station, and the second goes to the north gate. Most tourists only take one section and miss the full experience.

Ticket Prices & How to Book

Prices change slightly each season, but here's the current breakdown I verified last month. Remember: you need a zoo entry ticket plus a separate cable car ticket.

How to book: You can buy tickets at the gate, but I strongly recommend using the official WeChat mini-program (search "大连森林动物园" in WeChat). It's all in Chinese, which is a nightmare for foreign tourists. Here's what I tell my clients: Ask your hotel receptionist to book it for you. They've dealt with it before, and you avoid the paper ticket queue. Alternatively, show the following phrase to any local: "请帮我买大连森林动物园的套票，包含缆车往返。" That means "Please buy me a combo ticket including round-trip cable car."

Best Time to Ride—My Personal Golden Window

Most guides say go early. But I've watched hundreds of tourists suffer in the morning sun. Here's my solid advice: arrive at the south gate cable car station at 3:00 PM. Why? Three reasons:

• The morning crowds (10 AM–12 PM) are brutal—expect 45-minute wait for the cable car. By 3 PM, the tour groups are leaving, and the line shrinks to 10 minutes.
• The light at 3:30–4:30 PM is perfect for photos. The afternoon sun hits the valley at a golden angle, making the animal enclosures glow. No harsh shadows.
• The zoo closes at 5 PM, but the cable car runs until 4:30 PM for boarding. You'll have plenty of time for a round-trip + quick walk at the north end.

Important closure note: The cable car stops operation on windy or rainy days. If the forecast shows heavy rain, skip the zoo entirely. The animals hide, and the cable car will shut down anyway. Check the official WeChat account for real-time updates—again, ask your hotel for help.

Getting to the Cable Car Entrance

The cable car has two boarding points: South Gate (main entrance) and North Gate (upper area). Most visitors start at South Gate. Here's how to get there:

By Subway

Take Line 2 to Hanghua Square Station (西安路站), then transfer to Line 1 and get off at Hedong Street Station (河东街站). From Exit D, it's a 15-minute walk straight to the South Gate. Look for the giant panda statue—that's the entrance. Alternatively, take bus 404 or 47 from the station and get off at "Forest Zoo" stop.

By Taxi or Ride-Hailing

From Dalian city center (Zhongshan Square), a taxi costs about 30–40 CNY and takes 25 minutes without traffic. Show the driver this: 大连森林动物园南门. If using Didi (Chinese Uber), set destination to "大连森林动物园南门停车场." Avoid rush hours (8–9 AM, 5–6 PM) because the road near the zoo gets jammed.

Parking

If you rent a car, there's a paid parking lot at South Gate (10 CNY per hour). But spaces fill up by 10 AM on weekends. I usually tell my clients to park at a nearby mall (like the Aeon Mall, 2 km away) and walk or take a 5-minute taxi. Cheaper and less headache.

What to Expect During the Ride

The Dalian Forest Zoo cable car is an open-air gondola (no glass bottom, but sides are open). Each car holds 2–4 people. You'll see:

• First 5 minutes (South to Middle): Views of the panda enclosure on your left and the ostrich field on your right. Keep your camera ready—the pandas are usually eating bamboo near the glass wall.
• Middle to North (10 minutes): This is the best part. You'll hover over the giraffe zone and the big cat hills. I've spotted lions sunbathing on the rocks here multiple times.
• Return trip (North to South): The afternoon light makes the whole coastline of Dalian visible in the distance. On clear days, you can see the Yellow Sea.

Accessibility

The South Gate station has an elevator to the platform. Wheelchair users can board, but you'll need to transfer to a standard seat inside the gondola (staff will help). The North Gate station does not have an elevator—there are about 40 steps down. So if mobility is a concern, start from South Gate and return to South Gate.

Frequently Asked Questions