The first Chinese dinosaur fossils exhibition ever held in an Asian shopping mall opened Monday at Hong Kong's Cityplaza.

On display are eight dinosaur fossils together with 10 fossil plants and animal specimens from the Chinese mainland.

The eight fossils on display represent dinosaurs from 100 million years ago, none of which has been previously displayed in Hong Kong.

Since the opening of the exhibition on June 24, the mall has attracted hundred of thousands of guests.

The exhibits are on loan from the Beijing Museum of Natural History and the Sichuan Zigong Dinosaur Museum. They include Lufengosaurus huenei, the most ancient species of dinosaur found in China and the first with which Chinese paleontologists began their studies.

Mamenchisaurus jingyanensis runs to 26 meters in length, the longest, largest and most intact Sauropoda ever found in Asia, will also be featured in the exhibition.

Three other dinosaur fossils, a Mamenchisaurus construct, Lotosaurus adentus and Psittacosaurus sinensis, as well as the 10 animal and plant fossils will help recreate the Jurassic Age.

Professor Gao, of Sichuan Zigong Dinosaur Museum, said that the exhibition provided an unprecedented opportunity for the Hong Kong public to enjoy a close encounter of a wide range of national treasures within a relaxed shopping environment.

The exhibition will run until July 31. To enhance the Hong Kong public’s understanding of ancient dinosaur relics, Cityplaza will stage a series of related activities.

(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2005)