Journey to the Jurassic: The Fossil Kingdom and Ancient Earth Forests of Lufeng Dinosaur Valley

The "Hometown of Dinosaurs" in China

1.Located in Lufeng: City, Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, Lufeng Dinosaur Valley (World Dinosaur Valley) is a premier destination that transports visitors back hundreds of millions of years to the Jurassic period. Situated approximately 100 kilometers from Kunming and 60 kilometers from Chuxiong city center, the park is easily accessible via high-speed rail or highway. This sprawling scenic area covers about 50 square kilometers with a core exhibition altitude of around 1,800 meters. Lufeng is world-renowned as the "Hometown of Dinosaurs" because it is where the first complete dinosaur fossil in China, the "Lufengosaurus huenei," was discovered in 1938. Today, the site stands as a National 4A-level Tourist Scenic Area and a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit, integrating scientific research, education, and leisure into a massive "Jurassic Park" experience that reveals the mysteries of life on Earth,.

A World-Class Fossil Treasure Trove

2.The core of the experience lies in the: World Dinosaur Valley Park and the Lufeng Dinosaur Museum. Unlike typical museums with static displays, this site offers a visceral connection to history. The park features a stunning array of reconstructed dinosaur skeletons and models set within a simulated Jurassic environment. Visitors can marvel at the towering Tyrannosaurus Rex, the long-necked Diplodocus, and the spiked Stegosaurus, all creating a vivid picture of the prehistoric world. The museum houses the pride of the valley: the Xu's Lufengosaurus fossil, representing a milestone in Chinese paleontology. The exhibition halls are divided into themes such as "Discovery of Lufengosaurus," "Human Evolution," and "Ancient Life in Yunnan," utilizing modern multimedia and 3D simulations to bring the fossils to life. Here, you can see not just bones, but the story of their survival, evolution, and eventual extinction,.

The Original Excavation Site

3.One of the most unique features of Lufeng: Dinosaur Valley is the in-situ Excavation Site. A protective shed covers the original slope where fossils were found in 1938, preserving the geological profile intact. Visitors can walk along paths to view the exposed rock layers and even touch the soil that encased these ancient giants for millions of years. The site displays the stratigraphic sequence clearly, allowing you to see where different fossils were unearthed. Remarkably, this area also yielded earliest evidence of fire use by humans in China, in the form of carbonized wood, bridging the gap between the age of dinosaurs and the dawn of humanity. This combination of a theme park atmosphere with a genuine archaeological site provides a rare and educational adventure for geology enthusiasts and families alike.

Earth Forests and Yi Culture

Beyond the fossils, the valley itself is a geological wonder, surrounded by a dramatic Earth Forest (Tulin) landscape. The red sandstone and clay formations, shaped by wind and rain over eons, create a rugged, castle-like backdrop that enhances the prehistoric vibe. The area is also steeped in the local culture of the Yi people. Nearby villages feature traditional stilt houses and temples where the Yi people worship their ancestors and nature spirits. During the Torch Festival, the valley comes alive with bonfires, traditional dances, and songs, blending the ancient geological history with vibrant living traditions. Visitors can taste local specialties like Yi-style roasted meat and wild vegetables, making the trip a feast for both the mind and the palate. Whether you are digging for fossils in the interactive zone or gazing at the "Earth Sculpture" of the surrounding hills, Lufeng Dinosaur Valley offers a profound journey through time,.