Natural Epics – Silent Witnesses to the Path of Evolution
The museum’s core exhibition unfolds along the theme of “evolution,” presenting a magnificent journey through life.
- The Mystery of Origins (L1 "Secrets of Origins" Exhibition Hall): From the Big Bang to the formation of Earth, from the tiny traces of early life to the Cambrian explosion of life. Here, through a multimedia dome screen and precious fossils, the ultimate question of "where did we come from" is answered.
- River of Life (L1 "River of Life" Exhibition Hall): This is the museum's most breathtaking visual corridor. Looking down from the atrium of the fourth-floor high space, giant ancient creatures such as Mamenchisaurus, Yellow River Elephant, and Giant Rhinoceros, along with modern biological models, are gathered together, like a gathering across time and space, vividly showcasing the magnificent panorama of life from aquatic to terrestrial, from simple to complex.
- Dinosaur Extravaganza (B1 "Path of Evolution" Exhibition Hall): This is the arena of prehistoric behemoths. Not only does it feature the complete skeleton of the Chinese dinosaur, but also lifelike dynamic models of dinosaurs restored through mechanical power and sound and light effects, making visitors feel as if they are in the Jurassic jungle and experiencing that distant era ruled by dinosaurs.
- Vibrant Ecology (B2M "Shanghai Stories" and "Ecological Panorama" exhibition halls): From Shanghai's local wetland ecosystems to realistic reconstructions of typical global ecological scenes such as African savannas and polar ice caps. This exhibition not only showcases biodiversity but also reveals the interdependent relationship between humanity and nature.
Humanistic Ingenuity: The Science and Art Behind Specimens
The value of a museum lies not only in its exhibits, but also in the way it presents itself, which blends scientific spirit with artistic aesthetics.
- The Museum's Treasures - Silent Gems:
- Yellow River Ancient Elephant Skeleton: This male ancient elephant skeleton, unearthed in Gansu and living about 2.5 million years ago, is large and complete, and is a rare treasure in Asia and even the world.
- Mamenchisaurus skeleton: The complete skeleton of this sauropod dinosaur, known for its long neck, is the visual focus of the museum's "River of Life" exhibit, and its enormous size is truly awe-inspiring.
- Latimer specimen: The discovery of this "living fossil" fish provides key evidence for the evolution of fish into amphibians. Its specimen is in excellent condition and is a landmark collection in the history of science.
- Artistic presentation of science: The museum's exhibits are art in themselves. For example, the "Window to Nature" uses artistic specimen combinations to create a poetic visual effect; the "Colorful Life" wall is composed of thousands of insect specimens such as butterflies and beetles, which are colorful and resemble a huge natural mosaic.
- Immersive Experience Space: In the "Into Africa" multimedia show, through the seamless integration of ultra-high-definition dynamic images and animal specimen environments, visitors can experience the sunrise and sunset of the African savanna and animal migration firsthand. This is a model of technology empowering museum experiences.
Visitor Guide:
The best panoramic view is from the sky corridor of the "River of Life" exhibition hall on the second floor of the museum, which overlooks the entire spectacular animal matrix.
The “Exploring Africa” multimedia show usually runs every half hour. It is recommended to check the schedule in advance and arrive early to choose a central seat.
The "Exploration Center" on level B2 is a treasure trove for families with children, offering hands-on experiences such as fossil digging and a butterfly house (some activities require reservations).
Using the official WeChat account's voice guide and AR functions can bring static specimens to life and allow for in-depth interpretation.
