Cover An expert from the Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences examining dinosaur fossils at Port Island (Photo: courtesy of the HKSAR)
An expert from the Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences examining dinosaur fossils at Port Island (Photo: courtesy of the HKSAR)
1 / 1
The remains of a large dinosaur from the Cretaceous period were found in Port Island, marking the first fossil discovery in Hong Kong
The remains of what can possibly be a sauropod, also known as a long-necked dinosaur or an ornithischian—characterised by its bird-hipped feature—were discovered in the Hong Kong Unesco Global Geopark in Port Island, northeastern New Territories. They are estimated to be from the Cretaceous period, 66 million to 145 million years ago.
This makes it the first time that dinosaur fossils have been found in Hong Kong, and they will be on public display at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui from October 25, 2025. There will also be a public talk later this afternoon (October 24).
Don’t miss: Are dinosaur bones relics or accessories? Here’s what you need to know before buying fossils
Above Dinosaur fossils shown within the red line (Photo: courtesy of the HKSAR)
Dinosaur fossils shown within the red line (Photo: courtesy of the HKSAR)
1 / 1
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) first identified a sedimentary rock containing suspected vertebrate fossils on the island in 2013. It wasn't until March this year that it informed the Antiquities and Monuments Office of the discovery, which then led to a field investigation together with experts from Beijing’s Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Palaeoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted a field investigation between June and August.
According to an AFCD spokesperson, it is possible that the dinosaur was buried under sand and gravel after death, then washed to the surface by a large flood and reburied at the discovery site. Experts from the excavation team also claimed that the chances of the dinosaur dying and being buried in the same place are relatively low “due to the scattered distribution and fragmented weathering of the dinosaur bones found”.
Above Dinosaur fossils discovered on Port Island (Photo: courtesy of the HKSAR)
Dinosaur fossils discovered on Port Island (Photo: courtesy of the HKSAR)
1 / 1
Bernadette Linn, the secretary for the development of Hong Kong, says the dinosaur fossils are an “immensely valuable” find for the city’s palaeontology studies. Ivanhoe Chang Chi Ho, the commissioner for heritage, adds that there will be more studies, excavations and educational work conducted by his branch, the Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, local universities, geological institutions and AFCD together.
The entire area of Port Island within Plover Cove is now closed for investigations until further notice.
Topics
Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
