Trial Operation of Zigong Dinosaur Museum's New Exhibition Hall

On 1 January 2023, the Zigong Dinosaur Museum launched a trial run of its Dinosaur Exploration Building located within the Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark. To ring in the New Year, it invites visitors to join in discovering the marvels of prehistoric life and to wander through the enchanting realm of dinosaurs.

Located in Zigong Dinosaur Museum, adjacent to the main exhibition hall, the Dinosaur Exploration Building covers a building area of 3,334 square meters, including about 2,930 square meters for display and about 2,000 square meters for supporting buildings and outdoor public space.

The new exhibition hall is built on top of a newly discovered dinosaur fossil site. After being dug up, the excavation site encompasses an area of approximately 70 square meters. There, a fully intact Omeisaurus jiaoi, a massive sauropod dinosaur measuring 23 meters in length, was discovered. This species, which lived during the Middle Jurassic period, was exclusive to the Zigong region and represents the biggest single dinosaur specimen uncovered at Dashanpu in Zigong.

From the outside, the exhibition hall appears to be encased within a gigantic dinosaur egg. In between the 'eggshell' gaps, light filters through. Tourists have the opportunity to board this blue 'time capsule' that transports them back to a world that existed billions of years ago. The exhibition focuses on the rise, flourishing, and eventual decline of dinosaurs, providing insights into their 'families', means of attack and defense, intelligence, and the art of deception. The new exhibition hall utilizes cutting-edge technologies to offer visitors comprehensive educational courses that reveal the wonders and allure of science.

The new exhibition hall takes advantage of modern tech to transform itself into a space for both exploration and hands-on experiences. Here, lifelike virtual dinosaurs come to life — walking and talking, providing a deeply engaging experience for visitors, who can witness the fascinating process of hatching dinosaur eggs, witnessing the journey from egg to hatchling, and then to a young dinosaur scrambling away. This engaging narrative lets visitors delight in the joy akin to that of the mythical "Dragon Mother", blending fun with the pursuit of scientific knowledge to make it more entertaining.

Visitors at the Dinosaur Exploration Building have the opportunity to metaphorically stand atop the shoulders of giants, experiencing a tangible sense of our historical past. They are treated to a profound visual impact and an emotional jolt, which further deepens the engagement with science. The facility offers a unique, immersive approach to experiencing the unique charm of a popular science study tour.