Why this Chinese city is officially known as the hometown of the dinosaur
In short: Nestled in the northeastern reaches of Guangdong, Heyuan is more than a vital transportation hub connecting China's coast to the interior. It is a geological treasure trove, holding the world's largest collection of dinosaur egg fossils, a distinction that has earned it a unique place in global paleontology.
Heyuan, a prefecture-level city in Guangdong, sits at the confluence of the Dong and Xinfeng rivers. Its name, which translates to the origin of the river, reflects its strategic geography. Spanning 15,800 square kilometres, the city serves as a critical junction for major rail lines, including the route connecting Beijing to Kowloon and the line linking Guangzhou, Meizhou, and Shantou. It also hosts the largest marshalling station in southern China, reinforcing its role as a key economic artery.
The city is perhaps best known for its extraordinary fossil record. The local museum holds a Guinness World Record for its collection of dinosaur eggs, which numbered 10,008 individual samples by 2004. Discoveries continue to this day; in July 2019, a local student found a fossil near the Dong River, leading to the excavation of additional specimens dating back 66 million years to the Late Cretaceous period. These finds have cemented the city's official title as the Hometown of the Dinosaur in China.
Beyond its prehistoric fame, Heyuan is defined by its diverse natural landscape and Hakka heritage. The region features extensive rainforests and the Xinfengjiang Reservoir, the largest lake in Guangdong. The local population is predominantly Hakka, and the area is rich in mineral deposits such as iron, tungsten, and tin. The climate is humid subtropical, characterized by long, hot summers and mild winters, supporting a local economy that produces everything from green tea and sweet tangerines to specialized mineral water.
The city's cultural and linguistic landscape is equally complex. It administers several counties, including Yuancheng, Dongyuan, and Longchuan, with dialects that vary between the Yuezhong and Yuetai groups. While the city is a modern industrial and agricultural producer, it remains deeply connected to its environment, offering scenic attractions like the Sujiawei Round House and the expansive Wanlu Lake, which draw visitors to experience its unique blend of history and natural beauty.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Heyuan
- Also: Wikidata — Heyuan · CC0
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