Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site

Background

The site lies on Longgushan (Dragon Bone Hill) in Zhoukoudian Town, Fangshan District, about 50 km southwest of downtown Beijing, with the site museum at the foot of the hill. The Peking Man fossils found around Longgushan may represent as many as 40 individuals, and Locality 1 has yielded more than 100,000 stone pieces, most of them flakes left over from toolmaking. In 1930, fossils of the Upper Cave people from about 20,000 years ago were also found here. The "dragon bones" (ancient fossils) dug up locally had long attracted scholars' attention. In 1921 the Swedish scholar Johan Gunnar Andersson and the Austrian palaeontologist Otto Zdansky excavated at Longgushan, and Zdansky found ancient human teeth; in December 1929 Pei Wenzhong excavated the first fairly complete Peking Man skullcap, which caused a sensation worldwide. Peking Man belongs to Homo erectus, and the fossil-bearing strata date to between about 800,000 and 230,000 years ago, though estimates vary. Whether Peking Man controlled fire has long been debated: early research treated the ash layers as evidence of fire use; a 1998 study found no hearths and suggested the burned material had been washed into the cave; several later studies have reported evidence of fire use inside the cave, and the discussion continues. The site museum, built in 1953, displays fossil models and the history of the excavations.

Local customs

Start at the site museum to see the Peking Man reconstructions, stone tools and excavation history, then follow the trail up the hill into Locality 1 (the Ape Man Cave) to see the excavation site itself. The Upper Cave and other localities can be understood from their interpretive panels. If you are travelling with children, the museum's popular-science displays help link the Peking Man of the textbooks with the real site.

Travel tips

• Allow half a day
• going between the museum and the hilltop sites takes some stamina, so wear non-slip shoes. The caves are cool inside, so bring a light jacket even in summer. Check the official notices for tickets and opening hours. Some caves are dimly lit, so mind the steps.
• The site is about 50 km southwest of downtown Beijing: drive by expressway to Zhoukoudian Town in Fangshan District, then follow signs to Longgushan. You can also take a bus to Zhoukoudian Town and transfer
• on the return trip, mind the last bus and check local bus notices. Spring and autumn, with pleasant weather and easy paths, are the best seasons
• in summer the caves are cool, but paths are slippery after rain
• in winter there are few visitors, but the hill is windy and cold, so dress warmly.