Anji's Most Beautiful Museum

The following is an in-depth travel guide tailored for the **Anji Branch of the Zhejiang Museum of Natural History** (one of the largest natural history museums in Asia), covering practical information, must-see highlights, and nearby attractions to help you plan your trip with ease:

### **I. Basic Information**
- **Address**: No. 1, Meiyuan Road, Dipu Subdistrict, Anji County, Huzhou City
- **Opening Hours**:
- **Wednesday to Sunday**: 9:00–17:00 (last entry at 16:00)
- **Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays** (except for public holidays; please refer to the official website for announcements)
- **Tickets**: Free, but advance booking is required via the official WeChat public account "**Zhejiang Museum of Natural History**" (it is recommended to book tickets 3 days in advance for weekends/holidays).
- **Recommended Visiting Time**: 4–6 hrs (the museum is large with a rich collection of exhibits)

### **II. Transportation Guide**
**From Hangzhou** (recommended method):
1. **High-Speed Rail + Taxi** (fastest):
- Hangzhou East Railway Station → Anji Railway Station (approx. 40 mins, ticket price: CNY 32). Take a taxi from the station for about 20 mins to the museum (approx. CNY 30).
2. **Self-driving** (most flexible):
- From Hangzhou, take the Hangchang Expressway for about 1.5 hrs. Navigate to "Anji Branch of the Zhejiang Museum of Natural History." Free parking is available at the museum (arrive early on weekends to secure a parking space).

### **III. Museum Highlights and Must-See Recommendations**
The Anji Branch features **six themed exhibition halls + a 4D cinema + a Nature Exploration Center**. We recommend an immersive tour by theme:

**1. Ecology Hall**
- **Features**: Large-scale ecological scene restoration, "one step" from the tropical rainforest to the polar glaciers.
- **Must-sees**: Suspended giant whale shark model, interactive polar bear projection.

**2. Dinosaur Hall** (top choice for families with children)
- **Features**: 1:1 restored dinosaur skeletons, moving and roaring mechanical Tyrannosaurus Rex.
- **Experiences**: Dinosaur fossil digging sandpit (children's favorite), AR dinosaur resurrection interactive screen.

**3. Behring Hall** (perfect for photos)
- **Features**: Themed around the Great Migration of African animals, with nearly 100 lifelike specimens of rare animals.
- **Must-sees**: Giraffe family group, dynamic lion hunting scene.

**4. Ocean Hall**
- **Features**: Deep-sea light and shadow tunnel, sperm whale skeleton specimen (18m long).
- **Experiences**: Touch pool for close observation of starfish and coral (with staff guidance).

**5. Natural Art Hall**
- **Features**: The pinnacle of natural aesthetics! Mineral crystals, microscopic art exhibition of butterfly wings.
- **Must-sees**: Fluorescent mineral darkroom, spiral shell structure model.

**6. Geology Hall**
- **Features**: Volcanic eruption simulation, earthquake experience house (slight vibrations, children must be accompanied by parents).

**Additional Experiences**:
- **4D Cinema**: Shows short films such as *Dinosaur Empire* (ticket price: CNY 20/person, each show lasts 15 mins).
- **Nature Exploration Center**: Children's DIY handicrafts, insect specimen making (on-site reservation required).

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### **IV. Efficient Visiting Routes**
**Family with Children**:
**Dinosaur Hall → Behring Hall → Ocean Hall → 4D Cinema → Nature Exploration Center** (focuses on interactive projects to avoid children getting tired)
**In-depth Study Tour**:
**Geology Hall → Ecology Hall → Behring Hall → Natural Art Hall → Temporary Exhibition Area** (reserve time to participate in the free guided tours within the museum; schedules are available at the entrance)

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### **V. Practical Tips**
1. **Dining**: There is a snack area on the 1st floor of the museum (CNY 30/person). Bringing your own snacks is recommended. There is a convenience store outside the exit.
2. **Services**: Strollers/wheelchairs are available for rent at the entrance (free, CNY 200 deposit). Ample lockers are available.
3. **Photography**: Popular photo spots include the animal specimen area in the Behring Hall, the light and shadow tunnel in the Ocean Hall, and the mineral wall in the Natural Art Hall.
4. **Avoiding Peak Hours**: Fewer crowds before 10:00 on weekend mornings and after 15:00 on weekend afternoons. Weekdays offer a better experience.