China Fangshan UNESCO Global Geopark Museum

China Fangshan UNESCO Global Geopark Museum

China Fangshan UNESCO Global Geopark Museum is a patriotic education base.

On September 17, 2006, at the 2nd International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks, China Fangshan UNESCO Global Geopark was officially approved and awarded by UNESCO, becoming the world’s only geopark located in a capital city. The park spans a total area of 953.95 square kilometers across Beijing's Fangshan District, Laishui County, and Laiyuan County in Baoding, Hebei Province. The park is divided into eight major zones based on resource types and historical culture, showcasing the billions-of-years-long evolutionary history of the Earth in North China and recording the upheavals and changes of various geological eras.

The museum is the iconic building and core exhibition area of the geopark. Located in Changgou Town, Fangshan District, it was founded on March 29, 2009, began trial operations on May 15, 2010, and has since had a broad social impact with widespread acclaim for its visitor capacity and experience quality. On July 12, 2010, it received unanimous praise from the expert panel during its UNESCO mid-term evaluation. French expert Martini praised the museum as a brand-new, outstanding, and unparalleled institution representing the future and development of China’s global geoparks; Malaysian expert Kumo described it as an artistic masterpiece among global geopark museums and the best venue for public science education; Chinese expert Zhao Xun inscribed: “A hall of science, a base to inspire wisdom.”

Covering an area of 6.11 hectares with a total investment of 180 million yuan, the museum has a construction area of 10,000 square meters. Its architectural design, themed “Rock Bursting into the Sky,” fully embodies the principles of “respecting natural structures, skillfully using original terrain, creating naturally flowing forms, and achieving harmony between interior and exterior spaces,” making it unique and exemplary. The museum exhibition centers around the theme of “Heaven, Earth, Humanity, and Harmony,” following the park’s geological changes, biological evolution, and human development, supported by earth science knowledge, and connected through popular science, storytelling, and accessible language. Utilizing various modern technologies, it presents the park’s geological heritage and cultural landscapes from multiple perspectives, allowing visitors to feel the power of nature and the wonders of the Earth, thereby inspiring thought, spreading knowledge, nurturing interest, and stimulating exploration. The museum features both indoor exhibitions and outdoor science squares. The indoor exhibition space spans 5,800 square meters and includes six major exhibition halls: the Opening Hall, Geological History Evolution Hall, Eight Major Zones Exhibition Hall, Global UNESCO Global Geoparks Exhibition Hall, Specimen Hall, and Outlook Hall. The outdoor science square displays large specimens and statues of notable figures in earth sciences.

Since its official free opening to the public on April 3, 2011, the museum has earnestly implemented the work requirements and deployments put forward by the Fangshan District Tourism Commission and the Geopark Management Office, including “standardized target management, refined daily management, standardized comprehensive management, diversified policy efforts, and efficient overall operation.” It has consistently adhered to the “Three Closeness” principle and the purpose of “constantly focusing on visitor needs” to serve the public. Since its opening, the museum has fully played its roles in science education, leisure tourism, scientific research, publicity and exhibition, and information exchange. Its visitor reception capacity and experience quality have earned high praise from leaders at all levels and all sectors of society.

In 2012, it was awarded the titles of “National AAA-level Tourist Attraction,” Science Education Base of the Ministry of Land and Resources, Beijing Science Education Base, Beijing Patriotic Education Base, Beijing Youth Off-Campus Activity Base. It actively leveraged the role of young members by establishing the “China Fangshan UNESCO Global Geopark Museum Youth Hub,” which was rated as a municipal-level Youth Hub. It also received honors such as Fangshan District’s “Youth Civilization Unit,” Fangshan District’s “Women’s Civilization Post,” “Fangshan District Primary and Secondary School Students’ Social Classroom Resource Unit,” and “Changgou Middle School Students’ Social Practice Education Base.”

In addition to regular exhibitions, the museum successfully hosted major events such as the 2010, 2011, and 2012 Spring Beijing International Walking Festivals and the 17th and 18th Fangshan Tourism Culture Festivals, the 2011 Nobel Laureates Beijing Forum – “Innovation and Development” Theme Exhibition, China UNESCO Global Geoparks Photo Exhibition, Travel Souvenir Competition, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Travel Agency Promotion Conference, “Earth Day,” “May 18 Museum Day,” “China Tourism Day,” and “Cultural Heritage Day” large-scale science-themed promotional events.

It also organized various thematic activities such as Fangshan District primary and secondary school social classrooms, science knowledge competitions, docent speech contests, weekend lectures, science outreach in communities and schools, fully leveraging the museum’s role as a base for science education and enlightenment, providing a quality learning and activity space for all social strata, and becoming a beautiful calling card for promoting Fangshan.

Address: Liujiafang Village, Changgou Town, Fangshan District, Beijing

Opening Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Last admission at 16:00)

Admission: Free

Online Reservation: Daily limit of 2,000 reserved tickets. Click to enter

On-site Collection: A limited number of 4,000 free tickets issued on-site daily

Phone Reservation: Groups of 20 or more (inclusive) can make a phone reservation at least 3 working days in advance.

Phone: 64006326 (for reservations), 64001476 (for inquiries)

Public Transportation:

Take bus routes 101, 103, 104, 104 Express, 108, 109, 111, 112, 420, 685, 803, 810, 814, 846, etc., and get off at Meishuguan Station; or take bus routes 2, 60, 819 and get off at Shatan Station.