Gansu welcomes first museum dedicated to national parks

Citizens and tourists visit the multimedia interpretation of the crucial role of the Qilian Mountains as an ecological barrier on Earth, demonstrated through sound, light, electricity, and other multimedia technologies. [Photo provided to gogansu.com]

The inauguration of the Qilian Mountain National Park Nature Museum on July 2, 2024, marked a significant milestone for Gansu province.

Situated in Sunan Yugur autonomous county of Zhangye, the museum is the first of its kind in Gansu, dedicated to the theme of national parks. Its unveiling attracted a substantial audience, comprised of both local residents and tourists, who sought to delve into the ecological landscape and natural resources of the Qilian Mountains.

This pioneering museum, with an investment totaling 87.09 million yuan ($12.86 million) and encompassing an expansive 73,000 square meters, emerged after six years of construction. It serves as a comprehensive institution, seamlessly integrating the functions of specimen collection, research, exhibition, education, and public outreach in the realm of scientific knowledge.

Boasting seven primary exhibition halls, as well as designated research and study spaces, the museum also houses two temporary exhibition halls spotlighting the enigmatic facets of Sunan. Its array of over 1,000 natural specimens, including animals, plants, and minerals indigenous to the Qilian Mountains, stand as testament to the region's ecological and geological richness.

Leveraging advanced multimedia technologies such as sound, light, and electricity, the museum adeptly showcases the diverse ecological and geological attributes of the Qilian Mountains. Furthermore, it meticulously delineates the geological evolution of the Qilian Mountains and elucidates the fundamental ecological principles underlying the coexistence, interactions, exchanges, and integration of the various ethnic communities dwelling in the area, chronicling a splendid narrative of their harmonious symbiosis with the natural environment.