Plan at a glance
Entrance, scale and visit length
Nantong Forest Safari Park is at No. 299 Tongliu Highway, Chongchuan District. The East Gate is the main entrance, with the ticket office and car park nearby. A quick route covering the drive-through zone, walking zone and main shows takes about 4–5 hours. To add animal interactions, a full show programme and the night session, allow 8–10 hours.
Daytime hours are usually 09:00–17:00, with last entry at 15:30. The recorded summer night session runs from June 26 to August 31, 16:00–22:00, with the drive-through zone open until 21:00. This is a date-limited arrangement; show times and venue access follow the notice on the day of entry.
Tickets and park transport
The reference adult ticket is CNY 180, the child and senior concession ticket is CNY 90, and the night ticket is CNY 99. A separate CNY 200 per car ticket is required for self-driving access to the drive-through zone. The sightseeing bus costs CNY 30 per person and can be used without a trip limit that day. The drive-through mini-train costs CNY 30 per person and does not allow feeding.
The park recommends buying tickets 1–3 days in advance through the Nantong Forest Safari Park WeChat account, and 2–3 days ahead for holidays. The exact application of the free-entry rule for children under 1.2 metres should follow the ticket arrangement at entry.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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Drive-through zone, walking zone and shows
The drive-through zone offers close views of giraffes, zebras, bears and hippos. The walking zone includes Tai Elephant Valley, the International Circus, the Sea Lion Theatre, the Red Panda House and Sendi Adventure. The International Circus lasts about one hour, and Tianma Bathing River lasts about 50 minutes. The animal education show follows the day's programme.
Families who want animal interaction can prioritise the drive-through zone. Visitors who want shows and night lights should enter at the start of the daytime session and allow time for popular shows. Typhoons, heavy rain and midday heat can all reduce animal activity, so weather directly affects the experience.
Who it suits
Families can combine the drive-through and walking zones. Animal lovers can put the drive-through zone and feeding experience in the morning. Couples and younger visitors can add White Beach, Dream Island and the Redwood Bay Treehouse for photographs and night lights, but do not shorten the daytime drive-through visit just to fit a night session.
Build your day
About 4–5 hours: a quick route
Enter through the East Gate and take the mini-train through the drive-through zone. Return to the walking area for the International Circus and Tianma Bathing River, visit the Panda House, then leave through the East Gate. The mini-train suits visitors who do not want to drive or feed animals; observe the drive-through zone from the vehicle under the park's rules.
This route focuses on the main shows and representative animal areas. Show seating and times can change, so look at the day's programme after entry and then set the order of the drive-through visit and shows.
About 8–10 hours: a full-day route
Enter around 09:00, drive or rent a vehicle for the drive-through zone, then return to the East Gate area and park. Walk through Tai Elephant Valley, the Big Circus Hall, Sea Lion Theatre, Red Panda House and Sendi Adventure. Watch Tianma Bathing River in the evening; if the date falls within the summer night-session period, continue to the light show before leaving.
The drive-through and walking zones require a separate transport arrangement. With a rented electric cart, the rental clock can continue while you wait for a show. Some predator areas do not allow visitors to get out, so move and stop only where the park permits.
Get there
Metro and bus
Take Nantong Metro Line 2 to Xingfu Station, Exit 2, then transfer to Bus 108 for the East Gate area. Public transport works for visitors who are not driving; if you plan to enter the drive-through zone or carry children's supplies, driving reduces transfers inside the park.
Driving, parking and charging
Navigate to the East Gate of Nantong Forest Safari Park. The East Gate has a large free car park with charging points. The CNY 200 vehicle ticket covers the car's entry to the drive-through zone; it is separate from adult and child admission tickets.
Know before you go
Drive-through rules and vehicle costs
Self-driving access to the drive-through zone requires a separate CNY 200 per car ticket. The sightseeing bus costs CNY 30 per person with unlimited rides that day; the mini-train costs CNY 30 per person and does not allow feeding. Electric carts are charged by the hour, and the meter may continue while the cart waits during a major show.
Visitors cannot get out in some predator areas. Feeding must follow the park's rules; do not use personal food in areas where feeding is restricted.
Weather, walking and food
The park is large and exposed. In summer, use sun protection and avoid long outdoor walks at midday; animals may be less active during typhoons and heavy rain. If you want the full show programme and the drive-through zone, arrive around the 09:00 opening.
Food inside the park is relatively expensive, while the East Gate area and the area outside the park offer places to eat and rest. You can ask about luggage storage at the East Gate; storage in the hotel area may have different hours and management, so do not treat it as a guaranteed service.