Watch out! Dinosaurs are coming. "Jurassic Kingdom," a showcase for a dinosaur animatronics exhibition, was unveiled yesterday in Zizhuyuan (Purple Bamboo) Park located in western Beijing.
Organized by the China Association for the Advancement of International Friendship and the Beijing Yonghe Corporation Co, the event will last for two months and then tour Guangzhou and Shanghai early next year.
Covering an area of 79,920 square meters, the exhibition ground is actually an attractive garden in the park.
"For the first time, Chinese people can see these gigantic creatures in a natural landscape instead of inside museums," said Li Jiayi, marketing manager of the Beijing Yonghe Corporation Co.
On display are 150 dinosaurs of a large number of species which were developed and built by Dino-MAE Creation Inc based in the United States.
Three of them will be familiar to many Chinese as they were featured in the Hollywood blockbuster "Jurassic Park."
Of course, new faces are also included and six species of dinosaurs will make their debut in the "Jurassic Kingdom."
Technology will also breathe life into these savage creatures -- the masters of the world that once existed on the Earth some 70 to 65 million years ago.
Using state-of-the-art technology in animatronics and engineering, these life-size dinosaurs are able to move, growl and blink their eyes.
"Each species is scientifically accurate based on evidence gathered from fossil remains by leading palaeontologists. And these exhibits, direct from the United States, are finished to perfection in skin-work, coloring and details," said Li.
Wandering through the "Jurassic Kingdom," visitors can see the fierce predator Giganotosaurus, hear the roaring of the ferocious Tyrannosaurus hunting its prey, and the calls of Pteranodon (bird dinosaurs) as they glide across the air.
Those who are seeking more excitement can choose to visit at night. The "Jurassic Kingdom" will be open until 10 pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends.
And it is not just about having fun but is educational as well.
"Education is the primary goal of the event," said Li.
With the aim of popularizing and disseminating knowledge in science and technology among students, the event was designed to be both educational and entertaining for Chinese children and teenagers. They will be able to interpret the existence of these prehistoric creatures, their evolution and their geographical domain on Earth.
The dinosaur museum also displays important fossil discoveries, including claws of raptor dinosaurs, a skull of Tyrannosaurus and other body parts.
Video documentaries are played continuously to enlighten visitors on reports and findings by renowned palaeontologists and scientists.
During the two-month event, visitors are encouraged to join a number of activities.
Dino Dig, for instance, would attract all young fossil hunters. Children can learn how to find the fossils as they join a mission in search of the lost dinosaurs.
A dinosaur drawing contest will be held as well. Participants can draw ideas from a variety of dinosaur exhibits in the "Jurassic Kingdom," or use their imagination to sketch their ideal types of dinosaurs.
(China Daily August 17, 2002)
