Country
Fossil hunting in China
Western Liaoning Province in northeast China preserves the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota: Yixian and Jiufotang formations that produced the world's first feathered dinosaur (Sinosauropteryx, 1996) and have since yielded thousands of exceptionally preserved feathered theropods, early birds, mammals, and insects.
Fossil law in China is strict. The 2010 Regulation on the Protection of Paleontological Fossils prohibits export of any vertebrate fossil and most significant invertebrate or plant fossils. The local fossil trade in Liaoning villages remains a recurring problem and tourists should not buy specimens.
Reach the Jehol Biota outcrop belt via Chaoyang or Beipiao, both accessible by train or short flights from Beijing or Shenyang. A Chinese-speaking driver or guide is strongly recommended. Signage outside major museums and geoparks is minimal in English.
Top picks: Sihetun National Geopark, Liaoning (Sinosauropteryx discovery site, in-situ Jehol Biota under a protective shelter, fee).
9 fossil sites
Updated 12 October 2026
Chengjiang Fossil Site, Maotianshan Fossil Hunting Guide
Yunnan, China
Trilobites, Arthropods, Worms, Chordates
Erenhot Dinosaur Geopark Fossil Hunting Guide
Inner Mongolia, China
Dinosaurs, Theropods, Hadrosaurs, Sauropods
Guanling Fossil National Geopark Fossil Hunting Guide
Guizhou, China
Marine reptiles, Ichthyosaurs, Crinoids, Ammonites
Lufeng World Dinosaur Valley Fossil Hunting Guide
Yunnan, China
Lufengosaurus huenei, Yunnanosaurus huangi, Sinosaurus triassicus, Chinshakiangosaurus chunghoensis
Luoping Biota National Geopark Fossil Hunting Guide
Yunnan, China
Crustaceans, Fish, Marine reptiles, Bivalves
Port Island (Chek Chau), Hong Kong Fossil Hunting Guide
Hong Kong, China
Dinosaurs
Sihetun Fossil Dig Site Guide
Liaoning, China
Feathered dinosaurs, Early birds, Pterosaurs, Early mammals
Yunyang Dinosaur Fossil Wall Fossil Hunting Guide
Chongqing, China
Dinosaurs, Sauropods, Stegosaurs, Theropods
Zigong Dinosaur Museum, Dashanpu Fossil Hunting Guide
Sichuan, China
Dinosaurs, Sauropods, Stegosaurs, Fish