The Dalian Shell Museum (大连贝壳博物馆), established in 2003 by Mr. Zhang Yi, is a remarkable institution dedicated to the study and appreciation of shells and mollusks. Spanning an impressive area of 10,000 square meters with a total building space of 15,000 square meters, the museum features four above-ground floors and one underground level. It showcases nearly 10,000 species of modern shell specimens, totaling over 50,000 individual pieces, along with more than 3,000 specimens of ammonite fossils and a vast collection of large, plastinated soft-bodied animals.
As the largest professional shell museum in the world, the Dalian Shell Museum combines research, popular science education, exhibition, collection, and international exchange related to shells and mollusks. The museum’s architectural design was created by renowned architect Academician Qi Kang, who crafted a space that enhances the display of its unique exhibits. The museum also benefits from the guidance of world-famous shell experts, including Mr. Sakanao Kosuge, Director of the Tokyo Institute of Malacology in Japan, and former Director of the Fujian Institute of Oceanography, Mr. Zhuang Qiqian, who serve as advisors for the museum’s operations.
A significant portion of the museum’s collection comes from Mr. Zhang Yi’s personal collection, which he amassed over 30 years. His dedication to collecting rare shells not only resulted in an impressive display but also led him to publish the “World Shell Color Illustrated Guide,” a valuable resource that fills a significant gap in the study of shell culture in China. This guide has contributed greatly to the dissemination of knowledge about shells and their cultural significance.
The diverse collection at the Dalian Shell Museum features shells from over thirty countries, including New Zealand, Argentina, Spain, Morocco, Malaysia, Fiji, and the Philippines. Additionally, shells have been donated or exchanged by malacologists and shell collectors from regions such as Japan, Taiwan, and the United States. The exhibits include specimens of varying sizes and weights, from the massive, heavy shells of the giant clam, known as the “man-eating shell,” to the delicate, lightweight sand dollars that require magnification to appreciate fully.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 100 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 16.30; Last Admission: 16.00 (1st January – 25th April) 9.00 – 17.30; Last Admission: 17.00 (26 April – 30th June) 9.00 – 18.00; Last Admission: 17.30 (1st July – 1st September) 9.00 – 17.30; Last Admission: 17.00 (2nd September – 31st December) |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0411-82856742 0086-0411-84801470 |
Location and Transportation
The Dalian Shell Museum is located at No. 1, Area D, Xinghai Square, Shahekou District, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 49 or 802, get off at Xingyu Street East Stop (星雨街东站), and walk about 700 meters to the south.
Metro: The closest metro station to Dalian Shell Museum is Xinghai Square (星海广场) on line 1. After getting out of the station from Exit A1, walk about 800 meters to the south.
