China Geological Museum

China Geological Museum

The China Geological Museum is a national AAA-level tourist attraction, a science education base, and a patriotic education base.

Destination Introduction

The China Geological Museum is located at No. 15 Yangrou Hutong, Xisi, Xicheng District. It was originally established as the Geological and Mineral Exhibition Hall of the Beijing Geological Survey Institute in 1916. It is the largest and oldest national geoscience museum in China, as well as the largest comprehensive geoscience museum in Asia. It officially opened in October 1959.

Its permanent exhibition rooms include the “Mineral Resources Room,” which displays agricultural chemical minerals, iron and steel metal minerals, non-ferrous metal minerals, etc.; the “Earth History Room,” which introduces the history of Earth over 4.6 billion years from a desolate and silent celestial body to the vibrant modern world; the “Stratigraphy and Paleontology Room,” which showcases various biological fossils from different strata, revealing the evolutionary process of life from the Proterozoic to the Quaternary period; the “Mineral and Rock Room,” which helps people better understand the world of minerals and rocks; and the “Gemstone Room,” which is divided into four sections: gems, jade, colored stones, and inkstones.

The museum mainly conducts research in geological science and technology and museology. The primary focus of geological science and technology research is basic geology, followed by applied geology and prospecting techniques. Gao Zhenshi, the former director and a geologist, is the founder of Sinian period research in northern China. The museum has conducted research on Mesozoic dinosaurs, Paleozoic fish, early Paleozoic trilobites, gemstone minerals, new minerals in China, rock drillability classification, and electron probe standards, achieving significant accomplishments. Over the years, in collaboration with external institutions, it has officially published works such as "Earthquake Q&A" and its “Revised Edition,” "An Introduction to Geomechanics," "China's Wudalianchi Volcanoes," the "China Minerals" atlas, and "Volcanoes · Hot Springs · Geothermal Energy." Independently written and officially published works include "General Theory of Gems," "Gems," and "Grand Views of China's Geology."

The museum boasts a rich and comprehensive collection, with over 100,000 geological specimens of various types from China and abroad. Among them are numerous geological treasures from ancient and modern times, both domestic and international, including many national treasure-level rarities, such as the world’s tallest dinosaur fossil—the Giant Shandong Dragon, primitive bird fossils of significant value to the study of bird origins, and stone tools, stone beads, and bone needles excavated from Zhoukoudian.

The exhibitions showcase a grand panorama of Earth’s history through the properties, structures, and origins of minerals and rocks, the history of geological evolution, and the changes in the natural environment and the evolution of paleobiology. There is also a hall that gathers rare treasures, not only allowing you to admire the radiant beauty of diamonds, cat’s eye stones, emeralds, and Hetian jade, but also revealing the allure of gems—their optical effects.

The China Geological Museum not only helps people recognize the vastness and resource richness of the motherland, enriching their knowledge, but also highlights the importance of cherishing natural resources, protecting them, and making better use of them.

Opening Hours

9:00–16:30 (ticket sales stop at 16:00, closed on Mondays)

Ticket Prices

(1) Adults: 30 RMB, Students: 15 RMB, group visits enjoy discounts

(2) Children not yet of school age (must be accompanied by a parent) and people with disabilities can visit for free.

Location

Southwest corner of the Xisi intersection

Transportation:

Subway: Get off at Xisi Station on Line 4 (use Exit D)

Bus: Take bus No. 13, 22, 38, 47, 68, 101, 102, 103, 105, 109, 124, 409, 603, 612, 619, 709, 726, 806, 808, 812, 814, 823, or 826 to Xisi Station; take bus No. 7 to Baitasi Station; take bus No. 14 or 55 to Xianmen Station.

Contact Information

Address: No. 15 Yangrou Hutong, Xisi, Xicheng District, Beijing

Postal Code: 100034

Inquiry Phone: +86-010-66557858

Further Reading:

· China National First-Class Museum