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Helan Mountain Eco Museum

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The Helan Mountain Eco Museum is located in the heart of the Helan Mountains, within Xiaoquzhi Valley in Dawukou. Here stands an ancient tree fossil discovered in 1994 in Xiaoquzhi Valley. It measures 18 meters in length, is over 200 million years old, and belongs to the genus Taimu. About 8 meters of the fossil is exposed above ground, with its exterior remarkably well-preserved. It is the highest degree of carbonization and the largest ancient tree fossil ever found in China to date, as well as the largest, longest, and best-preserved ancient tree fossil in Ningxia. It holds significant research and viewing value. To better protect this fossil and establish a natural science education base for local youth, the Dawukou District Government funded the construction of the Helan Mountain Eco Museum.

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The Helan Mountain Eco Museum is situated in the heart of the Helan Mountains, within Xiaoquzhi Valley in Dawukou. Here lies an ancient tree fossil discovered in 1994 in Xiaoquzhi Valley. It is 18 meters long, dates back over 200 million years, and belongs to the genus Taimu. Approximately 8 meters of the fossil is exposed above ground, with its exterior in excellent condition. It is the most highly carbonized and largest ancient tree fossil discovered in China so far, as well as the largest, longest, and most well-preserved ancient tree fossil existing in Ningxia. It has high research and aesthetic value. To better preserve the fossil and create a natural science education base for the city’s youth, the Dawukou District Government invested in building the Helan Mountain Eco Museum.

The overall exterior design of the Helan Mountain Eco Museum is distinctive, with deep and profound connotations. Its surface is clad in stone-patterned (frost-cracked) finishing, with the rooftop edge designed like traditional crenellations. The northern mountain’s east and west sides are connected by artificial rock formations, blending seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The main structure consists of three three-dimensional stone-patterned layers, resembling three stone-bound books. At the center of the front façade is a large imitation tree-shaped Chinese character “石” (stone), with the entire design representing the Chinese characters “石 (stone), 口 (mouth/mouth-like shape), 山 (mountain)” and the English letter ‘V’, symbolizing “Shizuishan is great”! This project is a two-story frame structure with a floor area of 680 square meters, divided into three sections: the Eco Exhibition Hall, the Ancient Fossil Exhibition Hall, and the Landform Exploration Area.