Last month (November 2025), a hiker exploring a rock wall in Dujiangyan, in southwest China's Sichuan Province, stumbled onto something truly Jurassic: more than 20 ancient footprints frozen in time! 🦖🌳
Dating back roughly 200 million years to the early Jurassic period, these tracks offer an epic window into the dawn of the dinosaur era. Associate Professor Xing Lida of the China University of Geosciences (Beijing) led a research team that confirmed the prints' authenticity, marking the first discovery of dinosaur footprints in Dujiangyan.
The footprints range from small to large theropod tracks—evidence of meat-eating dinosaurs—and include chirotherian-type prints, which look surprisingly like giant prehistoric handprints, left by early archosaur reptiles. Xing points out that at least four rock layers preserve these prints, suggesting that dinosaurs returned here repeatedly over time.
Adding to the story, researchers uncovered petrified wood nearby—fallen logs and upright stumps preserved in place—which paints a vivid picture of the lush ecosystems that once covered the region. 🌲
Jiang Shan of the Zigong Dinosaur Museum says this site is a treasure trove for understanding early dinosaur evolution on the Chinese mainland. With every footprint, we're piecing together a prehistoric puzzle that spans millions of years.
For students, scientists, and adventurous travelers alike, Dujiangyan has become a must-visit spot to step into a real-life Jurassic tale. Who knows what other secrets lie waiting to be uncovered beneath the stone? 📚✈️
Reference(s):
Dinosaur footprints from about 200 million years ago found in China
cgtn.com
