Pairi Daiza is a sprawling zoological and botanical park in Brugelette, Belgium, built on the grounds of a former 12th-century Cistercian abbey. The park opened on May 11, 1994, as a small bird garden called Paradisio, and has since grown into one of Europe’s largest and most acclaimed zoos, taking its current name in 2010 from an ancient Persian word meaning “walled garden,” the root of the English word paradise.
The park draws roughly two million visitors a year to see its collection of around 7,000 animals across some 800 species, most famously a family of giant pandas on loan from China since 2014. Beyond the animals, Pairi Daiza is known for its immersive themed gardens, including the largest Chinese garden in Europe, and has repeatedly been named one of the continent’s best zoos.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Brugelette, Belgium
- Opened: May 11, 1994 (as Paradisio; renamed Pairi Daiza in 2010)
- Size: About 75 hectares (190 acres)
- Animals: Around 7,000 animals, about 800 species
- Annual visitors: About 2 million
- Famous for: Giant pandas and Europe’s largest Chinese garden
A Zoo Built Around Themed Gardens
Unlike a typical zoo laid out by animal taxonomy, Pairi Daiza is organized into elaborately themed lands, each pairing animal habitats with immersive garden architecture. The Dream of Han Wu Di, its Chinese-themed area, spans more than 45,000 square meters and is considered the largest Chinese garden in Europe, complete with pagodas and koi ponds. The Kingdom of Ganesha recreates an Indonesian-inspired landscape, and the park is also home to one of the largest herds of Asian elephants kept by any European zoo.
The site’s history adds another layer: the park sits on land once occupied by a Cistercian abbey founded in 1148, and remnants of that heritage remain part of the grounds, which were designated a protected area before the modern zoo took shape around them.
Giant Pandas and Conservation
Pairi Daiza’s giant pandas, on loan from China since 2014 as part of a conservation partnership, are its best-known residents and have drawn national attention in Belgium, including visits from panda cubs born on-site. The park continues to expand its conservation-focused exhibits, with a large covered tropical garden called Edenya planned as one of its newest additions, aiming to be among the world’s largest climate-controlled tropical greenhouses.
Explore more: Explore more top zoos and aquariums.
Pairi Daiza FAQs
Where is Pairi Daiza located?
Pairi Daiza is located in Brugelette, Belgium, roughly halfway between Brussels and Mons.
Does Pairi Daiza have giant pandas?
Yes, Pairi Daiza has housed giant pandas on loan from China since 2014, and they are among the park’s biggest attractions.
How many animals live at Pairi Daiza?
The park is home to around 7,000 animals representing about 800 species, spread across its themed gardens and habitats.
Get More from Pairi Daiza
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Pairi Daiza, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: JackyM59 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.