Paleozoological Museum of China
Photo: Own work — CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Paleozoological Museum of China, located in Beijing, is the largest paleontological museum in Asia, featuring over 900 exhibits of ancient animal fossils.
Planning your visit
China has produced some of the most consequential palaeontological finds of recent decades, and the Paleozoological Museum in Beijing displays them — the largest such collection in Asia, run by the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology.
The feathered dinosaurs from Liaoning are the material that changed the field. Beginning in the 1990s, exceptionally preserved fossils from lake deposits showed dinosaurs with feathers, establishing beyond argument that birds descend from theropods — a conclusion long argued but not demonstrated until these specimens appeared.
Beyond them, the collection covers fish, reptiles, mammals and the human fossil record, including material relating to Peking Man, whose original bones were lost during the Second World War.
Over 900 exhibits fill several floors, and the dinosaur hall works well with children.
It sits near Beijing Zoo. Allow two hours. The main booking is an entry ticket, with guided options. Current availability is listed below.
Before you book
Where is Paleozoological Museum of China?
Paleozoological Museum of China is in Beijing, China. The map on this page marks its exact location.
How long should I allow for Paleozoological Museum of China?
Allow two hours. That is the time the collection itself takes at an unhurried pace, before any queue.
Do I need to book Paleozoological Museum of China in advance?
Tickets can be bought on the door at quiet times, but booking ahead fixes the date and avoids the queue at busy ones. Live availability is shown on this page.
