Taiyuan Zoo in the northern part of the city is a standard Chinese municipal zoo with a collection that includes giant pandas, which draw most of the visitor interest. The enclosures are reasonably sized for a Chinese city zoo of its generation, and ongoing renovation has improved the larger mammal sections. As with most Chinese zoos, the most interesting sections for wildlife visitors are the native species — the Mongolian and Tibetan fauna that is regionally relevant, including Mongolian gazelle, snow leopard, and various deer species.
The zoo is primarily of interest if you are travelling with children or have exhausted the main historical sites. The panda enclosure is well-maintained and the animals are active in the morning feeding period.