In December, 1996, Yue Shengyang, the postgraduate of Peking University, came to the construction site of the Oriental Plaza situated at the south mouth of Wangfujing. A black charcoal mark drew his attention and then around the spot, he dug out the broken bones of animals and fragments beaten by humans.

After the appraisal of the experts who come from Chinese Academy of Sciences, the site is the relic of late Old Stone Age, 24,000 or 25, 000 years ago. Distance between the site and the surface of the ground is 12 meters.

The discovery of palaeoanthropology relic in Wangfujing is the first time around the world discovering palaeoanthropology in the downtown of an international metropolis.

On December, 28th, 2001, Wangfujing Palaeoanthropology Cultural Relic Museum was open to the public officially. The relic piece is a layer of earth 12 from the ground, in which there are needfire remains the human beings meters in remote antiquity left, such as charcoal ash pits, layer of charcoal bits and the spot where human beings in remote antiquity slew and dismembered animals.

The stone products, bone products and the needfire remains are kept in their original look when they were unearthed.

Further Information:

Address: Oriental Plaza W1P3, No. 1, East Changan street in Dongcheng district of Beijing

Bus Route: from Exit A of the subway stop of Wangfujing to the direction of Oriental Plaza; Take No. 1, 4, 10, 37, 52, 57, 103, 104, 337, 867, 813, 814 bus to the stop of Wangfujing or Dongdan, then enter the First Street of the Oriental Plaza and the museum is in the passage to the subway station.

Opening Hours: 10:00-16:30 (Monday to Friday); 10:00-18:30 (Saturday to Sunday)

Admission Fee: 10 Yuan, 5 Yuan (student)

Tel: 8610-85186306

(China.org.cn August 25, 2005)