Chengjiang Fossil Site in Yuxi

The Chengjiang Fossil Site, located in Yunnan Province, China, is one of the most significant paleontological sites in the world. It offers a well-preserved snapshot of an early Cambrian marine community, showcasing a rich diversity of life from over 530 million years ago. The fossils here include the remains of hard and soft tissues of both invertebrates and vertebrates, providing invaluable insight into the evolution of life on Earth during the Cambrian Explosion.

Outstanding Universal Value

Brief Synthesis

The Chengjiang Fossil Site is an extraordinary record of the rapid diversification of life during the early Cambrian period. In a geologically brief span of time, nearly all the major groups of animals emerged. The site contains fossils of remarkable preservation quality, including soft-bodied species that are rarely found elsewhere. It offers a complete record of an early marine ecosystem, making it one of the earliest examples of complex marine life and a unique window into the early stages of animal life on Earth.

Criterion (viii) - Outstanding Universal Value

The fossils found at Chengjiang showcase the rapid diversification of life on Earth during the early Cambrian period, a critical time in the history of life. The site presents fossilized remains of at least 16 phyla, including some of the earliest known chordates (the phylum that includes vertebrates). It is considered a globally outstanding example of a major stage in the history of life, providing a palaeobiological window that is of great significance for scientific study.

Integrity

The Chengjiang Fossil Site has clear boundaries that encompass the most significant fossil exposures in the region. The site is protected by a buffer zone that ensures wider protection and conservation. Fossil evidence has also been found in areas outside the main boundaries, which require further protection to provide context for the site.

While phosphate mining operations previously took place within the buffer zone, all such activities ceased in 2008, and rehabilitation efforts are ongoing. No mining has impacted the fossil site itself, and the local governments are committed to preventing future mining in the area.

Protection and Management Requirements

Legal Protection

The Chengjiang Fossil Site is state-owned and protected by various laws, including the Environmental Protection Law and the Law on Cultural Relic Protection, ensuring that damaging human activities are prevented. The site is also designated as a Chinese National Geopark, reinforcing its status as a protected area.

Management Strategy

The Chengjiang Fossil Site Management Institute oversees the management of the site. The property benefits from a robust management plan, including a National Geopark zoning plan, to protect key fossil sites. The financial resources for the site's management primarily come from national sources, with contributions from local authorities as well.

The site also has an established monitoring program with clear indicators for fossil conservation and a strategy for effective curation of specimens to international standards. With increased visitation expected, management strategies will ensure visitor numbers remain within sustainable limits, and visitor access to fossil sites will be controlled.

Features of the Chengjiang Fossil Site

Exceptional Fossil Preservation

The Chengjiang Fossil Site is famous for the exceptional preservation of its fossils, including both hard and soft tissues of animals. These fossils provide a detailed look at ancient marine life, including the earliest known chordates and vertebrates. Many of the taxa discovered at the site represent stem groups of modern phyla, offering valuable insight into the evolutionary history of animals.

Fossil Diversity

To date, 196 species have been documented at the site, including 16 phyla, ranging from algae, sponges, and cnidarians to more complex bilaterian phyla. The site also features some of the earliest specimens of priapulids and vertebrates, making it an important record of life's early diversification.

The Importance of Soft-bodied Species

The site is particularly significant because it includes fossils of soft-bodied species, which are rarely preserved in the fossil record. These fossils provide a unique look at organisms that lacked hard skeletons but were integral to the development of complex ecosystems.

Visitor Information

Address

Chengjiang Fossil Site
Yunnan Province, China

Best Time to Visit

The Chengjiang Fossil Site is best visited during spring, summer, and autumn. Visitors are encouraged to visit on clear days for the best experience.

Visitor Numbers

Visitor numbers have increased significantly in recent years. In 2012, approximately 4,000 to 5,000 visitors came to the site, but numbers are expected to rise to 30,000 - 40,000 in the coming years. Management will continue to regulate visitor numbers to protect the site’s integrity.

How to Get There

From Kunming to Chengjiang Fossil Site

• By Car: The site is approximately 180 km from Kunming, and a 3-hour car journey will get you there.

• By Train/Bus: From Kunming, you can take a bus or train to the nearby Jiangchuan District, from where local transport can take you to the site.