The short answer
Gorakhpur Zoo (Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Zoological Park): what visitors should know first
A good half-day for families with children, not a must for others. It is large, so use the battery vehicles, avoid Mondays when it is closed and go early before the heat.
Useful facts
Gorakhpur Zoo (Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Zoological Park) facts at a glance
- Location
- Taramandal, on the Gorakhpur-Deoria bypass road
- Experience type
- Zoo with battery vehicles and a 7D theatre
- Known for
- Around 121 acres; second-largest zoo in Uttar Pradesh
- Opened
- 27 March 2021
- Time or schedule
- Closed Mondays; check hours online
Why it matters
Why Gorakhpur Zoo (Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Zoological Park) is worth your time
For a city with few conventional leisure attractions, the zoo is a major recent addition. It opened in 2021 and is described as the second-largest zoo in Uttar Pradesh after Kanpur's. For local families it has become a regular weekend outing, and it also functions as a conservation and education space for school groups.
For visitors, it is mostly a practical option: something enjoyable for children that is also easy for older relatives thanks to vehicles and wheelchairs, in a part of the city with several other sights.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Battery vehicles
Electric carts and wheelchairs make the large site workable for older visitors and small children.
- 02
Spacious enclosures
The park is landscaped over about 121 acres, giving animals more room than older city zoos.
- 03
Combine with the lake
It sits near Nauka Vihar, so zoo and Ramgarh Tal fit easily into one outing.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Go early, ideally at opening, because the zoo covers around 121 acres and the animals are most active in the cooler hours. Buy tickets online through the official site if possible, or at the counter, and take a battery vehicle for the longer stretches. Those with energy can walk loops between enclosures and use the rest areas along the way.
The zoo opened in March 2021 and its layout is open and landscaped rather than cramped. Facilities include a cafeteria, toilets, wheelchairs, prams, souvenir shops and a 7D theatre. Bring water and snacks anyway, as queues at the cafeteria can be long on weekends.
Plan the visit with the neighbouring lake and planetarium. The zoo sits near Nauka Vihar, so a sensible day is zoo in the morning, a rest break, planetarium in the afternoon and Ramgarh Tal at dusk.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Do not plan a Monday visit; the zoo is closed
- Book tickets online if possible and carry ID if required
- Use the battery vehicles to save energy
- Carry water and a hat
- Check the official site for current hours and fees
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Taramandal, Gorakhpur-Deoria bypass, near Nauka Vihar
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 hours
- Best time
- Opening time on a winter morning
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The site is big and open, but battery-operated vehicles, wheelchairs and drinking-water points are listed as available, so older visitors can cover it with help. Avoid midday heat and carry a hat.
- Tickets and access
- Tickets were listed as 50 rupees for adults and 25 rupees for ages 6 to 12, with children under 6 free; a 7D theatre is extra. Fees and timings change, so check the official site, gorakhpurzoo.org. The zoo is closed on Mondays.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Gorakhpur Zoo (Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Zoological Park)
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The site is big and open, but battery-operated vehicles, wheelchairs and drinking-water points are listed as available, so older visitors can cover it with help. Avoid midday heat and carry a hat.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Which day is the Gorakhpur Zoo closed?
Monday is the weekly off day, according to published information. Verify on the official site.
How big is the zoo?
About 121 acres, making it the second-largest zoo in Uttar Pradesh.
Are there facilities for older visitors?
Battery-operated vehicles, wheelchairs and drinking-water points are listed. Confirm availability on arrival.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
