Enjoy the wonders of the natural world at this large museum, home to dinosaurs and plenty of preserved wildlife.
Marvel at dinosaur remains and examine meticulously maintained specimens of flora and fauna across the 8,000 square metres of public space at the Beijing Natural History Museum. You can also take in the wonders of the deep, and study the development of plants, animals and humans down through the ages.
The dinosaur section hosts a range of highly impressive replicas, as well as genuine remains from millions of years ago. The most impressive of these is the colossal, and rare, Mamenchisaurus, a 26-metre long sauropod which roamed this part of the world during the Jurassic era. While you're here, climb onto a bike and see if you can go faster than this giant specimen.
Moving forward in time, visit the Gallery of Ancient Mammals and examine the world-famous skull of a prehistoric Chinese elephant, the Stegodon zdanski. Moving into the world of vegetation, the Plant Kingdom allows you to follow the development of algae all the way up the evolutionary scale to the complex trees and flowers of a summit environment. Enjoy the exhibit where you can watch a flower sprout, get bigger and bloom in the space of a few seconds.
Pose for a picture with stuffed animals in the zoology section, or learn about the life of the oceans in the aquarium. Human biology is examined up close and personal in another exhibit, which includes real dead bodies and organs. If you’re squeamish, it’s probably best to avoid this part of the museum.
Get yourself an audio guide in English (if you don’t speak Mandarin) when you enter the museum, as most of the signs are in the latter language only. There is also a 4D cinema with programming that's sure to delight younger visitors – while this is not in English either, that shouldn’t detract from their enjoyment.
The Beijing Natural History Museum is in the Chongwen District of central Beijing, and is easily reached by subway or bus. Entry is free of charge, but you must reserve a day in advance. There is a fee for the 4D cinema, and the museum is closed on Mondays.
