Plan at a glance
The park and its main sights
Chaoyang Fossil Valley is in Longcheng District, Chaoyang. Its main features are fossil displays, the Jizantang Paleontological Fossil Museum (济赞堂古生物化石博物馆), and hands-on activities. Stops include Shenshudong Cave (神树洞), the Petrified Wood Carving Gallery, the paleontological fossil museum, and an outdoor dinosaur excavation site.
The Jizantang museum is separate from the Paleontological Fossil Museum inside Chaoyang Bird Fossil National Geopark; the attractions have separate tickets and bookings. There is no reliable time estimate for a self-guided visit. Booked fossil workshops may include a guide, excavation, and restoration; allow about 3–4 hours, depending on the package.
Admission and opening hours
The reference price for regular admission is CNY 50 per person. Check the ticket type and date before buying an adult ticket. Trip.com currently lists opening hours of 08:30–17:00, without a specified last-entry time. Check current notices for seasonal hours, temporary events, and closures.
Free admission under the Chaoyang Travel Pass applies only to eligible pass holders; other visitors need a regular ticket. Fossil workshops are sold separately. Whether a guide, fossil splitting, restoration, or mounting is included depends on the ticket package, so check the group size, activities, and session before purchase.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Shenshudong Cave and carved petrified wood
Shenshudong Cave displays a large piece of silicified wood, estimated to date to about 160 million years ago and measure about 19 m long. Look at the grain of the trunk, then see the carved petrified wood nearby to compare natural fossilized wood with processed displays.
The Petrified Wood Carving Gallery shows carvings made from fossilized wood. Displays may change with the gallery arrangement. Touch objects only in the park's designated interactive areas.
Museum and excavation activities
The Jizantang Paleontological Fossil Museum lists galleries on petrified wood, mammals, birds, dinosaurs, plants, insects, amphibians, and fish. Fossils associated with Archaefructus liaoningensis (辽宁古果) and the Jehol Biota offer a glimpse into the region's prehistoric ecosystems. Check the exhibit labels to see which specimens are on display and whether they are originals or replicas.
The park has a dinosaur excavation site and equipment for fossil splitting and mounting activities. Before joining, confirm that the session is open, who leads it, and whether you need to book. Ask about age limits, adult supervision, and whether finished pieces can be taken home.
Build your day
Self-guided short visit
After entering, visit Shenshudong Cave, then follow the open route through the Jizantang museum, the Petrified Wood Carving Gallery, and the outdoor stops before returning to the entrance. Set your pace according to the galleries that are open and your interests. Excavation activities require a separate booking and are not included in regular admission.
If a gallery closes temporarily, follow the route open that day. Join an excavation activity only if it is open and available to book. Fossil Valley and the Bird Fossil Geopark are separate attractions.
Half-day fossil workshop by reservation
If your booked package includes a guide, follow the time on the order: start with the guide and exhibits, then take part in the fossil splitting, restoration, or mounting activities listed in the package. Family ticket prices vary; check the number of participants and included activities before buying.
Allow about 3–4 hours for a booked fossil workshop. Session times and waiting depend on the booking and the day's schedule. If no suitable session is available, you can visit the galleries on your own.
Get there
Address and bus
The park is at No. 1 Chuanqi Road, Longcheng District, Chaoyang. Some map services label the address as “Longquan Avenue, Chuanqi Road, No. 1.” Search for “朝阳化石谷” (Chaoyang Fossil Valley) and follow signs to the entrance.
Bus information has listed Routes 2, 10, 12, and 17 as serving Fossil Valley, though some routes have changed. Call 0421-2624777 on the day of travel to confirm stops. From Liaoning Chaoyang Station, check the actual road route and walking distance on your map. Arrange a ride if you have large luggage rather than relying on a straight-line distance.
Parking and luggage storage
The reference parking price is CNY 2 per hour; check the posted rate when you arrive. If you need to store luggage, call 0421-6669999 in advance to confirm whether the Visitor Center still offers storage, along with its hours, size limits, and fees.
Know before you go
Identification, age limits, and reservations
Discount rules and required documents for children and students differ across listings; check the current notice. Passport ticketing procedures are not specified. Free admission with an annual pass applies only to eligible pass holders.
Booking rules, minimum ages for fossil workshops, family-ticket participant limits, and foreign-language guiding have not been confirmed. If you are using a passport or visiting with a young child, call 0421-6669999 before your visit. If you cannot confirm eligibility for a discount, budget for a regular ticket.
Touching, samples, and supplies
For touch experiences, use only the areas open to visitors and follow staff instructions. Whether study tools, fossil-splitting materials, or finished pieces may be taken home depends on the package and on-site rules.
Food service information is limited, so bring water before entering. If you need a stroller or wheelchair, call ahead to ask whether it can be used in the galleries, Shenshudong Cave, and the excavation area.