The museum is China's only natural science museum dedicated to the systematic education of paleontology, paleoecology, paleoanthropology, and evolutionary theory through paleontological fossils. It is also the largest paleontological museum in Asia right now. The museum is divided into five exhibition halls, which are housed in two buildings, in accordance with the evolutionary sequence of ancient animals, with more than 900 representative exhibits.

Exhibits here include fossil specimens of various species, paleolithic specimens, and models unearthed from strata dating from the Cambrian Period (over 500 million years ago) to the prehistoric era (10,000 years ago). Visitors can find here fossils of fish, amphibians, birds and ancient humans, as well as paleolithic artifacts, and can learn about the amazing course of evolution through the natural remains and traces of prehistoric animals and ancient humans.

Address: 142 Xizhimen Outer Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

(Source: Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau)