Citizens are visiting the Zhongshan Forestry Biodome. [Photo by Wen Bo]

Zhongshan Forestry Biodome officially opened on the morning of May 28.

The biodome, located the Zhongshan Arboretum, covers an area of 1,120 square meters. It has two floors and 5 exhibition halls, namely the Growth Ring Square, the Introduction Hall, the Comprehensive Showroom, the Ecological Hall and the Multi-function Room.

Facing the main entrance it is the Introduction Hall, where a miniature of Wugui Mountain is placed.

At the right of the Introduction Hall, the Ecological Hall houses a miniature of Zhongshan's forest system. The six major forest vegetation communities, i.e. subtropical (valley) monsoon rain forest, subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest, subtropical evergreen deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest, subtropical evergreen coniferous forest, scrub-grassland and mangrove wetland, are exhibited here, with corresponding simulated habitats and animal specimens placed. Visitors can intuitively experience different forest vegetation communities in the hall.

At the left of the Introduction Hall, the Comprehensive Showroom exhibits more than 200 species of animal and plant specimens, including Class-1 Key State Protective Animal python, Class-2 Key State Protective Animals such as tiger frog, smooth-coated otter, Eurasian river otter, small Indian civet, spotted linsang, black kite, crested serpent-eagle and lesser coucal, vigorous alligator snapper, red-dared Slider the cute but most dangerous exotic invasive species, "the King of Frogs" rana spinosa, and "the Magician of Animals" chameleon, etc.

There are also three full-time docents in the biodome offering free commentary service.

Zhongshan Forestry Biodome opens 9:00-11:00 and 15:00-17:00, Tuesday to Sunday, and closes on Monday for maintenance. Group visitors need to make reservation via 0760-88920450.