Peking Man Site

The site of the paleolithic Peking Man is in Zhoukoudian village, 48km (30 miles) southwest of Beijing. The area received worldwide fame with the recovery of the first skulls of Peking Man in 1929. The fossil remains have been approximated to be around 500,000 years old.

Aside from the Peking Man, bones of 40 inhabitants, most notably 慔illtop Caveman?provide an interesting look into this early community. Visitors can explore the cave occupied by Peking Man, which is located on the northern face of Dragon Bone Hill (longgushan). The cave spans 140 meters (460ft) and is 40 meters (130ft) high. The cave where Hilltop Caveman lived can also be visited.

In addition, there is an exhibition hall which display fossils remains of the human inhabitants, animals fossils, stone tools and decorative objects. Unfortunately, most of the original fossils were lost en route to the US for safekeeping during World War II and only a few genuine articles remain at the site.