Wuhan / Yifu Museum of China University of Geosciences

#November Destinations 2025 China University of Geosciences Shaw Museum: A Glimpse into Earth's 4.6 Billion-Year Epic The Shaw Museum of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), named after Sir Run Run Shaw, a patriotic industrialist from Hong Kong, is a national-level museum and a national science education base. Located on campus, it boasts a rich collection and advanced exhibits, systematically showcasing the evolution of Earth, the origin of life, the beauty of mineral crystals, and human development and utilization of natural resources. It is hailed as "a model among world university museums" and "one of Wuhan's ten landmark buildings." 📍Core Exhibition Halls and Treasures 1. Hall of the Origin and Evolution of Life · Key Highlights: Showcasing the complete chain of life evolution from the Paleozoic to the Cenozoic. · Three Treasures (Must-See): · Black Gemstone: A globally unique fossil of an ancient Psittacosaurus, its bones exhibiting a dark, lustrous sheen due to mineralization, as brilliant as a black gemstone. * **Black Gemstone:** An equally rare ancient ichthyosaur fossil, jet black and remarkably well-preserved. * **Mamenchisaurus Fossil:** A colossal dinosaur skeleton exceeding 20 meters in length stands majestically in the center of the hall. 2. **Earth's Mysteries Hall:** * **Key Highlights:** Interactive and multimedia presentations vividly explain Earth's structure, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, and other geological processes, providing an excellent classroom for understanding the fundamentals of Earth science. 3. **Minerals and Rocks Hall:** * **Key Highlights:** Displays a diverse array of mineral and rock specimens from around the world. This is a temple of natural art, showcasing giant crystal clusters, colorful fluorite, and calcite of various shapes, revealing the wonder and beauty of Earth's interior. 4. **Jewelry and Jade Hall:** * **Key Highlights:** Displays cut and polished gemstones, jade, and precious metal jewelry, such as diamonds, rubies, sapphires, jadeite, and Hetian jade, possessing both scientific and aesthetic value. 5. Mineral Resources Hall * Key Highlights: A systematic introduction to China's and the world's energy, metallic, and non-metallic mineral resources, highlighting the importance of geological work to national economic and strategic security. 📍 Visit Value and Experience * Close-up View of World-Class Treasures: The rarity and scientific value of the "Two Blacks and One Horse" are among the best in museums worldwide. * Excellent General Education in Natural Sciences: Families, students, and general visitors can learn about Earth science in the most intuitive way. * Experience the Dual Impact of Nature and Science: From macroscopic dinosaur skeletons to microscopic crystal structures, visitors can appreciate the grandeur of natural history and marvel at the intricacies of the material world. 📍 Practical Information * Address: Inside the East Gate of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Lumo Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan, Hubei Province. * Transportation: Take Wuhan Metro Line 2 to "Guanggu Square Station," then walk for about 15 minutes or transfer to a bus to "China University of Geosciences Station." • Opening Hours: • Usually Monday to Sunday, 09:00-16:30 (last entry at 16:00). • Important Note: Please check in advance whether the museum is closed on Mondays. Opening hours may vary on holidays; please confirm through official channels (such as WeChat official account) before your trip. • Visiting Suggestions: • Reservations: Currently, real-name reservations are usually required (through the official WeChat account). Please make reservations in advance. • Guided Tours: It is recommended to rent an audio guide or join a scheduled guided tour for a deeper understanding of the scientific stories behind the exhibits. • Visitor Route: After entering the museum, head directly to the "Origin and Evolution of Life Hall" on the second floor to see the museum's centerpieces, and then visit the other exhibition halls on each floor. • Family-Friendly: The interactive facilities and the giant dinosaur skeleton are extremely attractive to children, making it a top destination for family science education tours in Wuhan. The Yifu Museum of China University of Geosciences is a successful example of transforming top-tier scientific research resources into public science education wealth. It is not only a temple for geology students, but also a wonderful window for the public to glimpse the mysteries of the Earth over billions of years. Here, you can personally experience the charm and profoundness of Earth science, a scientific and aesthetic journey that transcends time and connects the macro and micro worlds.