The dragon fossil museum, which was set up by the Yichang Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources of the Ministry of Land and Resources, opened to the public on March 15, 2005. 

Unveiling the mystery of 'dragons', the museum introduces dinosaurs and pipefish, prehistorical animals that lived in the deep sea 2.9 billion years ago. 

Scientists define pipefish, or syngnathus acus, as a type of marine reptile that lived in the ocean 240 million years ago; its existence predates that of the dinosaurs by 100 million years. The largest pipefish is 33 centimeters long and 7.6 centimeters wide, while the smallest is just several centimeters in length.

In addition, the museum also has other exhibitions featuring 'dragon' fossils, dinosaur fossils and the prehistorical geology of the Three Gorges.