China's first large–scale museum of natural history, the Beijing Museum of Natural History, was opened in 1962. Today this very popular museum owns more than 200,000 specimens and some of the most technologically advanced exhibits in the world. The museum is a working high–level academic research center as well as the home of some incredible artifacts of the ancient and modern world and an extremely entertaining place to visit and learn.
Features
Dedicated to the collection of paleontological, botanical and anthropological specimen , this museum boasts more than one hundred thousand exhibits.
Some imported collections include the Moa fossils from New Zealand, sloth, Echidna, and Lyrebird from Australia, and La Diman fish from Africa. Some exhibits are taxidermy, some are fossils.
Diversified and advance technology are employed to illustrate the evolution process from single celled life to a diversified ecology.
The museum tries to use the systematic evolution of life on earth to make the public aware that it took millions of years for life to be so diversified on this planet, and we should try to preserve them and protect the habitats we live in.
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Exhibitions
Animals – The Friends of Human Beings: Hands–on exhibits are plentiful in this section dedicated to the presentation of every different living animal group.
The Mystery of Animals: A technological delight, this is the newest permanent exhibit. It focuses on Zoology and uses multimedia and design to convey the themes of adaptation, survival and propagation.
The Plant Kingdom: This section follows the evolution of terrestrial plants from prehistoric times right through to our modern landscapes. Visitors will enjoy viewing specimens, participating in multimedia presentations, and playing games.
Dinosaur fossils exhibited in the Beijing Museum of Natural HistoryAncient Mammals: Have a look at the world's first flower as well as specimens from the elephant family including the Huanghe River stegodon. The exhibit also contains teeth and bone fossils from the largest mammal alive at the time of the extinction of the dinosaurs, the bemalambda.
The Dinosaur Park: In this section, that spans history from the Triassic to the Cretaceous periods, you can look down upon a world of dinosaurs, walk through the Jurassic Great Canyon, or watch a film.
Exhibits include Upstream Yangchuanosaurus, Tsintaosaurus, Psittacosaurus specimen and some well-preserved dinosaur egg fossils and footprint fossils; the carnivorous Yangchuanosaurus from the later Juraasic era with a body length of over 8 meters and body height of 4 meters; the Herbivorous Tsintaosaurus from later cretaceous era with a body length of 6.62 meters and a body height of 4.9 meters, and the Herbivorous Psittacosaurus with a body of only 70 centimeters.
In the paleontology hall you can see the 22 meters-long Mamenchisaurus from 140 million years ago and the 6 meters long and 2 meter tall Lufengosaurus from 180 million years ago. Some reptiles that had the ability to fly are also on display. Pterosaurs, and Ichthyosaurs that lived in water are on display.
The Beauty of Animals: Come in and get interactive with the Animal World. View presentations of animal life in African countries, the forests of North America, and the ice world of Northern Eurasia.
Discovery World: Every week there is something new to discover from the natural world in the Discovery Park.
Ancient Reptiles: In this gallery you will see the evolution of reptiles from the first ones to emerge from the oceans, through the dinosaurs. See fascinating dinosaur skeletons and find out what it's like to be a paleontologist.
4D Cinema: This theater combines a 3–D movie with smells and other surprises to delight all ages. The films are rotated seasonally so check with the museum to see what showing while you are visiting.
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Visitor Information
- Open: 9am–5pm (last admission at 4pm; closed Mondays)
- Tickets: It is free, but you must call at least one day ahead to reserve your ticket. For individual tickets call 010-67024431/0733/7702. Groups of 20 or more should call 010-67024439/4435
- Fax: 010-67021254
- E-mail: office@bmnh.org.cn
Location and Transport
The Natural History Museum is located on the west side of the Temple of Heaven Complex and to the south of the Forbidden City in Central Beijing.
- Address: 126, Tian Qiao Nan Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100050
- Bus 17, 20, 36, 105, 106, 110, 120 to the Tianqiao Station.
- Subway Line 5 to Tiantan Dongmen (East Gate of The Temple of Heaven).
