Heilongjiang Geological Museum

Heilongjiang Geological Museum

The Heilongjiang Geological Museum is recognized as a base for science education.

The Heilongjiang Geological Museum is a comprehensive center for both scientific research and public education, dedicated to the collection and exhibition of geological and mineral specimens across the province. Located at No. 263 Hongqi Street, Harbin, within the office building of the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Land and Resources.

It officially opened on May 18, 2007, and houses a collection of over 50,000 items, with more than 3,000 on display. The exhibition space spans 2,211 square meters and includes seven exhibition halls. The displays are diverse in style, vividly themed, and intricately interconnected. The museum employs modern technologies such as sound, light, electricity, multimedia, and virtual imaging to comprehensively showcase the geological development and scientific research achievements of Heilongjiang Province. These exhibits vividly illustrate the critical role that land and resource management, geological exploration, and mining development play in the economic and social advancement of the province.

Among these, Hall 1 (The Splendid Heilongjiang Hall) provides a comprehensive overview of Heilongjiang, using large-scale dioramas of wetlands, grasslands, forests, and farmlands to highlight the province’s stunning landscapes and abundant natural resources. The circular, embracing design creates a spacious and profound visual effect. A large motorized relief model of Heilongjiang’s land and resources, with a horizontal scale of 1:200,000 and a vertical scale of 1:8,000, along with a circular projection screen in front displaying synchronized videos and narration, illustrates the province’s transportation network, administrative divisions, and various natural resources. Automated lifting and faulting demonstrations showcase the famous Manzhouli–Suifenhe geoscience profile. This innovative method of exhibiting cut profiles is unique and was pioneered in China.

Hall 2 (Geological and Mineral Resources Hall) explores various aspects including geological work, metallic minerals, energy minerals, non-metallic minerals, geothermal resources, and groundwater. Electronic display models demonstrate the crustal evolution of Heilongjiang over the past 2.5 billion years and the formation of important minerals. Visitors can also view the world’s largest onshore oilfield—the Daqing Oilfield—through sound, light, and electricity-powered models of oil exploration platforms and virtual images of automated underground coal mining. The hall features a gas coal specimen from Shuangyashan, Heilongjiang, measuring 1.8 meters in length, 1.3 meters in width, and weighing approximately 4.5 tons. It is currently the largest coal ore specimen displayed in any museum in China.

Hall 3 (Rock and Mineral Hall) uses a glass-transparent structure and crystal-filled walls inlaid into the exhibits to showcase the diverse rocks and minerals found within and beyond the province, as well as four renowned ornamental stones and four famous inkstones that carry the legacy of ancient civilizations. Visitors can use four stereoscopic microscopes to observe minerals and their internal inclusions and fractures, bringing them up close to the elegant and unadorned beauty of gemstones and minerals. Additionally, two sets of virtual imaging displays allow visitors to “touch” gems and jade, adding an air of mystery to these priceless treasures.

Hall 4 (Geological Environment Hall) uses a technique of juxtaposing small spaces with grand landscapes to present the picturesque scenery of geological parks through miniature dioramas such as the Wudalianchi volcanoes, the granite stone forest of the Little Xing’an Mountains in Yichun, and the Maolan Valley in Jiayin. Sound, light, and electricity effects simulate volcanic eruptions, providing an immersive experience.

Hall 5 (Stratigraphy and Paleontology Hall) introduces the dramatic changes in Heilongjiang’s landscape over 500 million years and imparts knowledge about stratigraphy and paleontology using virtual imaging, rotating platforms, motorized spiral models, illuminated display boards, and a wealth of fossil specimens.

Hall 6 (Dinosaur Hall) offers a comprehensive and systematic overview of the rise and fall of dinosaurs during the geological history period through a combination of prehistoric murals, landscape settings, models, virtual imaging, platforms, dinosaur skeleton fossils, and physical specimens. The highlight is a 11.75-meter-long, 4.0-meter-high skeleton of the Mandschurosaurus, the largest duck-billed dinosaur skeleton unearthed in Jiayin County. In addition to touchscreen and plasma TV displays that offer in-depth information about dinosaurs, interactive activities such as dinosaur puzzles, races, and egg-laying simulations help visitors learn more about the living habits of these ancient creatures.

Hall 7 (Mammoth and Woolly Rhinoceros Hall) uses large murals combined with skeletons and realistic settings to depict the ancient ecological environment of the period—especially the Songnen Plain during the Quaternary period. This grassland, once surrounded by dense forests, was once dominated by mammoths and woolly rhinoceroses.

The Heilongjiang Geological Museum integrates advanced display techniques such as film and video technology, multimedia, simulation and virtual reality, automation control, and lighting effects to fully reflect the rich and beautiful regional characteristics of Heilongjiang. It embodies a perfect blend of scientific rigor, educational value, artistic expression, as well as form and content.

Address: No. 263 Hongqi Street, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province

Transportation: Take bus routes 26, 51, 74, 76, 90, 203, or others in Harbin and get off at the High and New Technology Development Zone Station.