Hongshan Forest Zoo is Nanjing's main zoo, spread over wooded slopes north of the centre rather than squeezed into a flat city block. The setting gives it shaded paths and a more spacious feel, with pandas, primates, birds, and other collections drawing local families year-round.
As with any zoo, check recent conditions and decide whether it fits your own comfort level. For travellers with children or a spare half day, it is one of Nanjing's major family attractions outside the historical core.