Tianjin Zoo was a big disappointment. While in TJ for business, I decided to go on my own to fill up some time. The zoo is how Western zoos would look after a few decades of post apocalyptic neglect. I didn't see a single member of staff to offer help apart from the ones trying to sell you something (let alone a zookeeper). Animals are enclosed in tiny concrete rooms (some of which didn't have water). Everyone was banging on the windows and shouting at the top of their voices to wake the sleeping animals up.The bears were probably the best the zoo had to offer and were in reasonably large outdoor enclosures. Although they spent their entire time on their back legs begging as people threw food and litter at them. I even saw one man spit at the bear from above as it begged for food. I get the impression the zoo probably doesn't feed them and relies on the public's scraps.

The main reason for my visit was to see the Panda(s). As I walked through the Panda house there were in fact no pandas, all of the 'cells' were empty. This was a common sight at the zoo. The grounds were actually quite nice but if you want a stroll I suggest visiting the nearby Shuishang Park - which is lovely. Looking at the state of the place. I expect the millions and millions made goes straight into the shareholder's pocket rather than reinvesting back into the zoo.

It is absolutely shocking to see that there is no one even bothers looking after those animals in the cages, and worst of all, none of the Chinese did even care about it... The panda was asleep in the cage and some Chinese kept banging on the glass, trying to wake the poor thing up and make him move so they can get some pictures. The lions in the other enclosure were in an absolutely shocking state. It is just not right.
You can see they try to make the zoo look nicer, but it just does not cover the ugly side of the human being!

Not one zoo keeper in a zoo that was dirty, had nothing for the poor dirty, underfed animals. People were throwing food at the begging animals. I have never seen anything like it. Water features were full of garbage. Many cages had no animals thank goodness! Didn't seem to bother the Chinese visitors one bit. Saddest thing I've seen besides the man that was beating a monkey he had tied outside his store with a broom today. Two little puppies were also there and the monkey kept picking on them. No one seemed to care.