How far can the vision and imagination of a natural stone company go? At first glance, this might seem like the headquarters of an ordinary company. Yet “ordinary” is perhaps the last word you could use here… Because this is the very peak of visionary thinking. This is the Yingliang Stone Natural History Museum, located in Shuitou—an innovative, internationally influential natural history museum and, at the same time, the world’s first industrial museum dedicated to stone materials.
A CRYSTAL-LIKE ARCHITECTURAL STRUCTURE
You feel the uniqueness from the very entrance. Designed by Atelier Alter Architects, this extraordinary building draws inspiration from the crystalline structure of stones. With its triangular surfaces, sharp geometries, and crystal-like voids, you feel as if you are inside a science fiction film. Massive volumes seem to float above, creating a sense that the space is expanding upward. It feels like being in another world… Light filtering from above illuminates artifacts dating back millions of years, creating an almost magical atmosphere. One cannot help but admire the vision of Liang Liu, founder of the Yingliang Group.
A FOSSIL LABORATORY INSIDE
After discovering numerous fossils during years of mining operations, Liu decided to transform the company’s headquarters into a museum to showcase the history of fossils and the science behind them. Construction of the 2,600 m² project began in 2019, and the museum opened in 2020. It features four permanent exhibition halls: the Natural History Hall, the Human History Hall, the Stone Art Hall, and the Stone Industry Hall. In addition, it includes a Fossil and Mineral Preparation Laboratory, a Stone Cultural Creativity Center, and a Global Stone Resource Center.
A 70-MILLION-YEAR-OLD EMBRYO
Now to the museum’s most remarkable exhibits. “Baby Yingliang” is truly mind-blowing. This dinosaur embryo, estimated to be around 70 million years old, was discovered inside a rock formation and has astonished scientists. Paleontologist Darla Zelenitsky, an expert in dinosaur eggs at the University of Calgary, said: “It is so perfectly preserved, I couldn’t believe my eyes.” The Yingliang Group first discovered the egg in 2000, but it took another 15 years to fully understand its significance. A crack on the surface revealed fragile bones inside—hinting at the extraordinary treasure within. This bird-like dinosaur is also considered an important piece of evidence in the study of evolution.
A 4.5-BILLION-YEAR-OLD METEORITE
Another highlight is one of the oldest meteorites ever discovered in the solar system. We are talking about a journey dating back 4.567 billion years! Found on February 8, 1969, in Chihuahua, Mexico, this meteorite weighs 244 grams. With its dinosaur eggs, fossils embedded in rocks, and dinosaur fossil prototypes, the Yingliang Museum is truly a “must-visit” destination for anyone passing through Shuitou.
