Beijing Museum of Natural History

I’m back in The Netherlands after traveling for a month around two opposite countries in Eurasia (China in the east and Ireland in the west). I really didn’t have time for jetlag 🙂 Photo processing is in full swing so keep posted for new photos!

Hereby a short note on Beijing Museum of Natural History. I’m a pretty big natural history museum buff, so I take upon the opportunity whenever I have the chance. The museum is located near the Temple of Heaven and has around 8000 square meters of display space. Especially the mounted skeletons in the dinosaur and ancient mammal hall were impressive, including a huge specimen of the Paraceratherium genus (the largest land mammal ever). The halls about plant and animal diversity were also pretty informative and know a creative and colorful display. Hidden in the cellars of the main hall I encountered an excellent interactive display about the human body. It even contained pretty revealing displays about human sexuality and reproduction. Topics I didn’t suspect to encounter in somewhat conservative China. A room about environmental issues and nature conservation was good as well, showing a collection of protected and endangered Chinese animals. I especially appreciated this part of the exhibition, knowing China’s environmental track record. As a Chinese to English translation stated: “Protecting animals begins from me”.

I myself was of more interest to the school children visiting the museum, however. I can safely state that I appear on quite a number of photos, showing a somewhat awkward specimen of the Dutch people.