Fossil Forest

Fossil Forest

The Fossil Forest is located within the scenic Shenzhen Xianhu Botanical Garden. It is part of the garden’s Paleontological Museum, which consists of three major sections: the petrified wood exhibition area, the animal fossil exhibition area, and the plant fossil exhibition area.

The Fossil Forest — that is, the plant fossil exhibition area — is located in the southern outdoor section of the museum. This exhibition area displays ancient plant fossils, including those of algae, ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms. The photos below mainly feature ginkgo fossils, metasequoia fossils, cycad fossils, and alsophila fossils, as well as the fossil of Liaoningoglabra, hailed as “China’s first flower.” This area mainly showcases the plant ecological environments of the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras to visitors.

All the petrified wood displayed in the Fossil Forest was formed when the trunks of ancient trees were buried underground and underwent a petrification process. Petrified wood refers to the secondary xylem tissue in tree trunks being replaced by minerals such as silicon dioxide, calcium carbonate, and iron sulfide, while the original shape of the ancient tree and its fine internal structures are preserved — resulting in what you see in the photos: fossilized trees, also known as silicified wood.

Address: Xianhu Botanical Garden, 160 Xianhu Road, Lian Tang, Luohu District, Shenzhen

Type: Historical Site

Recommended Visit Duration: 0.5–1 hour

Phone: 0755-25738430

Official Website: http://www.szbg.org/index.aspx

Opening Hours:

Ticketed entry hours: 8:00–18:00. Free access hours: 4:00–8:00 and 18:00–21:30. Special adjustments to opening/closing times and vehicle access restrictions may apply during holidays. Please refer to the notices issued by the botanical garden management office for details.

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Admission is included with the Xianhu Botanical Garden ticket.