Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort With Kids: The 5-Park Mega-Resort You Need To Know About
Which Parks To Book, How Long To Stay And Where To Save
Updated: October 30, 2026
A safari park, a theme park, a water park, a bird park and a circus, all in one place. The Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort in Panyu, south Guangzhou, is a five-park mega-resort, and each park has its own hours and pace. Don’t try to cram it into one day. Two days covers the big hitters. Three lets you see everything without anyone melting down.
The Scoop On Chimelong Mega-Resort:
- Tickets: Each park is ticketed separately, but discounted multi-park combos are sold if you’re doing more than one.
- Getting There: Take the high-speed train from West Kowloon to Guangzhou South (about 47 minutes), then Metro Line 7 to Hanxi Changlong.
- Last Leg: From Exit E, it’s a five-minute walk to the free Chimelong shuttle bus.
- Bring Your Passport: Park entry is checked against the passport you booked your tickets with.
- Staying Over: Our guide to the best family hotels in Guangzhou covers the three Chimelong hotels and the best city options.
- How Long You Need: Two full days covers Safari Park, the Circus and one more park. Three days fits all five at a kid-friendly pace.
Little Steps Insider Tip: Avoid Chinese public holidays, especially the first week of May and October, and go on a weekday if you can. Arrive 30 minutes before the 9:30am opening and ride the Safari Park train first, or wait until after lunch when queues drop. The Paradise express pass (around CNY 200) only pays off on busy days.
Here’s what each park is like with kids, and how much time to give it.
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Chimelong Safari Park: Asia's Big Wildlife Day Out In Panyu, Guangzhou
White Tigers, Koalas And A Cable Car Over The SavannaChimelong Safari Park is the one park every family should do. It covers about 800 hectares and holds more than 20,000 animals, which you see from a sightseeing train, a cable car and on foot. Hundred Tiger Mountain has more than 150 white tigers, and the park says its koala group is the biggest outside Australia. The main Panda Village has been closed since May 2026, but pandas can still be spotted at Meizhu Hall, the Panda Restaurant and from the cable car. Ride the train first, as it stops at 4:30pm.
How long: A full day (6 to 8 hours). Outside food isn't allowed, apart from baby food and water, so budget for park restaurants.
Why Little Steps Loves It
- The cable car doubles as a rest stop for tired legs, with the best views over the savanna.
- Kids under 1m get in free (one per paying adult).
Chimelong Safari Park, Chimelong Tourist Resort, Yingbin Road, Panyu District, Guangzhou, +86 400 883 0083, chimelong.com/gz/safaripark. Open 9:30am to 6pm in October 2026. Hours change monthly.
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Chimelong International Circus: The Big Night Show In Panyu, Guangzhou
World-Class Acrobats And The Globe Of Death, Plus What To Know About The Animal ActsChimelong International Circus is the resort's big night show. The 80-minute performance starts at 7:30pm and is packed with trapeze acts, acrobats, clowns and motorbikes in the Globe of Death. Horses and other animals still appear in parts of the show and parade. Some reviewers say these acts have been scaled back, and Tripadvisor flags it as not meeting its animal welfare policy, so it's worth deciding as a family before you book.
How long: One evening. Gates open around 5pm, so arrive 45 minutes before showtime to find seats and use the bathroom. Every guest needs a ticket, including small kids, so book ahead for weekends.
Book Chimelong International Circus
Why Little Steps Loves It
- The human acts are the real highlight: no queues, no walking, just 80 minutes of jaw-dropping stunts.
- Under-5s may fade by 9pm, so plan an easy morning after.
Chimelong International Circus, Chimelong Tourist Resort, Yingbin Road, Panyu District, Guangzhou, +86 400 883 0083, chimelong.com. Nightly show at 7:30pm.
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Chimelong Paradise: Rides, Parades And Big Coasters In Panyu, Guangzhou
Gentle Rides For Little Ones, Big Coasters For Brave Big KidsChimelong Paradise is the resort's theme park, with more than 70 rides across six themed zones. Thrill seekers head straight for the launch coaster, the Rocket Coaster and the Giant Pendulum. Younger kids are happier on the carousel, Ferris wheel and bubble battle, plus the parades and shows on the two performance plazas. Lots of rides need kids to be at least 1m tall, so measure before you go. Unlike Safari Park, you can bring your own snacks in (nothing that needs heating).
How long: Half a day for under-8s. A full day if you have tweens who want every coaster.
Why Little Steps Loves It
- Packed snacks are allowed, which saves money and meltdowns.
- It's walking distance from the Chimelong hotels, so nap breaks are easy.
Chimelong Paradise, Chimelong Tourist Resort, Yingbin Road, Panyu District, Guangzhou, +86 400 883 0083, chimelong.com. Hours change by season, check the official site.
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Chimelong Water Park: Summer Slides And Splash Zones In Panyu, Guangzhou
Save This One For A Hot-Weather TripChimelong Water Park only opens for the warm months, usually April to October, so it's a spring and summer pick. Big kids go for the water coaster, the Super Tornado and the dual wave-board slide. Little ones are better off in the shallow splash zones and on the lazy Adventure River. Height and age rules are strict on the big slides and checked at each ride, so look them up before you promise anything in the car. It's a 5-minute walk from Chimelong Hotel.
How long: Half a day with under-6s, a full day with confident swimmers.
Why Little Steps Loves It
- A Paradise + Water Park combo ticket lets you switch between the two on the same day.
Chimelong Water Park, Chimelong Tourist Resort, Yingbin Road, Panyu District, Guangzhou, +86 400 883 0083, chimelong.com. Seasonal, roughly April to October. Check opening dates before booking.
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Chimelong Bird Park: Pelicans, Hippos And Bird Shows In Dashi, Panyu
The Calmer, Smaller Park That Toddlers LoveChimelong Bird Park sits outside the main resort, about 30 minutes by shuttle or 15 by taxi. It's home to more than 10,000 birds plus wetland animals, including a hippo herd and crocodiles. Kids can join pelican feeding sessions and hand-feed small birds with a spoon (around CNY10). Catch the Hundred Birds in Flight show before you leave. It's far smaller than Safari Park, which makes it a good pick for toddlers or a slower day.
How long: Half a day (3 to 4 hours). Go in the morning, when feeding sessions and shows are busiest.
Why Little Steps Loves It
- Strollers, short walks and fewer crowds. An easy win with under-4s.
- The Safari + Bird Park two-day combo (CNY380 adult) costs about CNY80 more than a weekday Safari ticket alone.
Chimelong Bird Park, No. 183 Bianjie, Dabian Village, Dashi, Panyu District, Guangzhou, +86 400 883 0083, chimelong.com. Open 9:30am to 6pm, last entry 5pm.
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How Are The Animals Treated At Chimelong?
It depends on the park.
- Safari Park: Most animals live in big, open enclosures that you see from the train or cable car, and Tripadvisor rates it as meeting its welfare guidelines. Chimelong also dropped its white tiger tug-of-war show, but timed animal shows and a daily parade still run.
- Circus: Elephants, horses, dogs and birds still appear, and Tripadvisor flags it as not meeting its welfare policy.
- Pandas: Seven went back to China’s panda conservation center in July 2026 while their enclosures are upgraded. Eight stay in Guangzhou.
Little Steps Insider Tip: If animal performances are a dealbreaker, stick to the train and cable car at Safari Park and skip the shows and the Circus.
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Can you buy one ticket for all the Chimelong parks?
No. Each Chimelong park is ticketed separately, so you buy entry for the parks you plan to visit. Discounted multi-park combos are sold if you're doing more than one. At Safari Park, kids under 1m go free (one per paying adult), but every Circus guest needs a ticket.
How many days do you need at Chimelong with kids?
Plan two days for Safari Park plus one more park, or three days to see all five without rushing. Safari Park alone takes a full day. Paradise, Water Park and Bird Park each work as a half day with younger kids.
Can you see pandas at Chimelong right now?
Yes, but not in the main Panda Village, which has been closed since May 2026. Eight giant pandas stayed in Guangzhou after seven were returned to China's panda conservation center in July 2026. Look for them at Meizhu Hall, the Panda Restaurant and from the Safari Park cable car.
What's the best time of year to visit Chimelong?
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable for long park days. The Water Park only opens in the warm months, roughly April to October. Avoid Canton Fair weeks (mid-April to early May and mid-October to early November), when Guangzhou hotel rates jump.
How do you pay at Chimelong as a visitor?
Mobile payment is the easiest option. Visitors can link a foreign Visa or Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay before the trip. Set it up at home, and carry a little CNY cash as a backup for snacks and small stalls.
Want more Guangzhou family ideas?
Melanie Barnish
Melanie is an Australian mother of three and lived in Hong Kong for years! She now lives in sunny Australia and leads both our travel editorial and regional marketing projects
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