Paleozoological Museum of China | Explore the Mysteries of Prehistory

The Paleozoological Museum of China, established by the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is a national-level natural science museum dedicated to paleontology. It is the first museum in China to use paleontological fossils as a medium to systematically popularize knowledge of paleontology, paleoecology, paleoanthropology, and the theory of evolution, and it is also the largest museum of ancient animals in Asia. The museum is located on Xizhimenwai Street in Beijing, facing the Beijing Zoo across the street. The main building of the museum is a three-story blue castle-like structure resembling a dinosaur, with a paleontological square in front. Inside, the museum displays fossils from various categories, Old Stone Age specimens, and models from strata dating from over 500 million years ago in the early Cambrian to 10,000 years ago in the late Quaternary, comprehensively showcasing the grand journey of the evolution of prehistoric vertebrates and ancient humans. The Paleozoological Museum of China is divided into two branches—the Vertebrate Branch and the Tree of Huashan Paleoanthropology Branch—as well as four exhibition halls, including the Ancient Fish and Amphibians Hall, the Ancient Reptiles and Birds Hall, the Ancient Mammals Hall, and the Paleoanthropology and Old Stone Age Hall, with a special exhibition hall and a 3D cinema. Among the precious exhibits are the 'living fossil' Latimeria from Africa, Asia's largest dinosaur Mamenchisaurus, the 'First Dragon of China' Lufengosaurus, the skeleton of the ancient animal Stegodon from the Yellow River which is included in China's primary school textbooks, and the replica of the mysterious 'Peking Man' skull before it was lost. In addition, the Paleozoological Museum of China also relies on the nearly one hundred years of collections from the institute, selecting nearly a thousand representative specimens for exhibition from more than 200,000 specimens. The museum also has a 'Little Darwin Club', which regularly organizes expert science lectures, field trips, fossil excavations, screening and repairs, as well as model making and other science education activities, making it an extracurricular school for young paleontology enthusiasts. 🌈Transportation: 🚇Subway: Line 4 to Beijing Zoo Station (Exit D)