The amber is produced in Zhangpu, Fujian province. [Photo/VCG]

Located in Zhangpu county, Zhangzhou city, Fujian province, Zhangpu amber biota is recognized as the world's third-largest amber biota and the most significant amber discovery in nearly a century.

The Fujian Zhangpu Amber and Paleontology Museum, which opened to the public on July 2, 2025, showcases an impressive collection of 25,000 insect-containing amber specimens and over 5,000 plant fossils. This highlights the rich diversity and uniqueness of the Zhangpu amber biota.

As one of the world's four major amber biotas, the Zhangpu specimen has revealed approximately 250 biological families. Its high insect content is particularly rare in China, making the collection a vital resource for studying Miocene tropical seasonal rainforest ecosystems.

Unlike many amber deposits worldwide, Zhangpu amber offers precise geological age and paleoclimate data, providing a reliable environmental context and preserving original paleoecological and taphonomic information. This makes it an essential reference for comparative studies of other amber biotas.

Building on this foundation, the Zhangpu Amber and Paleontology Museum serves as a science education platform, fostering collaboration in research, education, and cultural tourism.

Lan Changkui, Party secretary of the Hekeng community in Qianting town, recently announced plans to integrate the museum into a broader regional development strategy.

"By combining ecological tourism, cultural creativity, and science education, the initiative aims to create a 'museum-centered, regionally integrated' cultural and tourism ecosystem," Lan said.  The goal is to establish "Zhangpu Amber Town" as a distinctive brand, attracting visitors and researchers from around the world.