The Chengjiang Fossil Site, in Yunnan Province, is a must-visit for paleontology enthusiasts and those fascinated by the Cambrian Explosion, a pivotal moment in Earth’s history 520 million years ago.

However, the original fossil site, including key areas like the Maotianshan Shales where the first discoveries were made in 1984, are now permanently closed to the public. This closure, in place to protect the fragile fossil-bearing strata from further disturbance, means you can no longer visit the iconic dig sites or the Chinese Academy of Sciences research building, bellow described as a trilobite-shaped structure (now locked and unused).

Instead, the experience has shifted to the Chengjiang Fossil Site Natural History Museum, located a short distance from the core zone, likely to comply with UNESCO preservation regulations and cater to growing tourism. The museum, opened in 2021, is a modern facility with free admission offering a fascinating window into the Cambrian Explosion, but the permanent closure of the original dig site and limited access to authentic fossil beds slightly diminish the hands-on experience.

Getting there is straightforward: buses from Kunming South Passenger Station to Chengjiang County cost ~CNY 20 (50 minutes), followed by a ~CNY 100 taxi to the museum. (There is also an option to take a public bus from the station to the museum, but I don’t remember the number.)