Siberian Tiger Park is the largest breeding center in the world for Siberian tigers. The park is located on the North bank of the Songhua River and has over 500 purebred Siberian tigers (100 visible to visitors), white tigers, lions, lynx, leopards, white lions, black pumas, and Bengali tigers. The lions confused me because I thought lions liked warmth. Siberian Tiger Park also has a “liger” – a lion and tiger that have been cross-bred.
A full page article appeared in The Chicago Tribune 4-13-14 and referred to this park as one of the places that possibly makes their real money from sales of tiger pelts, tiger bone wine and other products that have been banned in China for 20 years. It is certainly possible since we once saw tiger bones being sold in a Shanghai street market and I suggest you read an article about this subject posted on TravelsWithSheila.
Click here to view the embedded video.
outside Siberian Tiger Park, Harbin
gates enclosed areas where tigers roam free, Siberian Tiger Park, Harbin
tiger, Siberian Tiger World in Harbin, China
Visitors first are loaded on a bus which drives into several areas enclosed by high mesh fences and gates for about 20 minutes. Tigers roam freely in fields and riders are warned not to open the windows or put arms out. (Yeah, right.) The tigers in this area are all about 7 or 8 years old.
white lion at Siberian Tiger Park, Harbin
tigers roaming freely, Siberian Tiger Park, Harbin
Siberian Tiger Park, Harbin
After a short ride, visitors walk up a ramp and around a mesh enclosed walkway to look down on tigers, white lions (albino), a “liger” – a lion and tiger crossed, white tigers, panther, cheetah, and a leopard. In addition to viewing the tigers walking in the open-air, visitors can buy poultry or animals to feed them, including ducks, chickens, and even cows. Park employees will set the live animal free among the tigers, or you can throw a chicken or duck to the animals below. Our guide tried to encourage us to buy a chicken for 100 Yuan and throw it from a vantage spot because the Tiger Park is privately owned, losing money, and trying to monetize in every way possible.
“Liger” – lion and tiger cross-bred, Siberian Tiger Park, Harbin
White Tiger, Siberian Tiger Park, Harbin
Siberian Tiger Park souvenirs, Harbin
more Siberian Tiger Park souvenirs, Harbin
It was a very “hokey” experience and really not necessary to do but we were determined to see whatever Harbin had to offer besides the Ice Festival and told our tour operator to throw in everything but the kitchen sink. Siberian Tiger Park might have been the “kitchen sink.”
