China Science and Technology Museum

Located at No.5, East Beichen Road of Chaoyang District in Beijing, the China Science and Technology Museum lies to the north of the National Stadium in the central part of Olympic Park. First opened in 1988, it is the only state-level comprehensive science and technology museum in China. With the establishment of the new exhibition building in 2009, the museum now has four floors. It shows the new trends in science and technology on various applications, including aerospace, energy, transport, materials and machines, information technology and environment. Through colorful exhibits, interactive activities, interesting experiments and hi-tech films, visitors can easily understand some of the scientific theories and technology applications. The museum is now considered an important facility to popularize science and improve citizen’s science literacy and ability to innovate.

The Science and Technology Museum consists of not only the five permanent exhibition halls, including 'Science Paradise' located on the first floor in the northwest area, 'Glory of China' on the first floor, 'Exploration and Discovery' on the second floor, 'Sci-tech and Life' on the third floor, and 'Challenge and Future' on the fourth floor,  but also a short-term exhibition hall, and four special-effect theaters: Dome Theater, Huge-screen Theater, Motion Theater and 4D Theater. In addition, many laboratories, classrooms, science popularization lecture halls and multifunctional halls are found in the museum.

 This hall is an attractive place for children who like science and hands-on activities where they can have great fun. It comprises seven theme exhibition areas: Happy Farm, Cheerful Water Bay, Science Castle, Exploring Mountains, Safety Island, Performance Scene and Hands-on Activities, with a total area of 3,800 square meters (40,896 square feet). It is set up for three-to-eight-year-old children, aiming at inspiring their interest in science in various educational ways, including games, discussions and interaction.
 This hall showcases the significant accomplishments of ancient China in science and technology, which play an important role in promoting Chinese social progress and world civilization. This hall is divided into five sections. Introduction Hall helps guide visitors to know ancient China. There are two main exhibitions: Taosi Observatory, a part of Taosi Site in the middle reaches of the Yellow River in ancient China, and bronze embossments of scientists in ancient China. Technological Innovation of Ancient China displays some critical inventions and technological innovations in mining, agricultural technology, irrigation machinery, textile, architecture and navigation. The major exhibitions are Tonglushan mining, Zigong salt wells, various agricultural machinery, weaving machines, palaces, residences, urban planning, vehicles and advanced navigation technology. Scientific Exploration of Ancient China boasts noted achievements made by intelligent and hardworking Chinese people in several areas. There you can see Chinese acupuncture, an armillary sphere, a star map, a seismograph, a model of the Dujiangyan Irrigation Project, ancient musical instruments and light-penetrating mirrors. Exchange between China and the World Civilization introduces advanced Chinese inventions spreading into the world, especially 'four great inventions': papermaking, printing, gunpowder, compass. 'Hands-on Space' is a very interesting place where visitors can participate in woodblock printing and paper making using ancient methods.
 Exploration and discovery is a lasting theme in the process of human civilization. This hall focuses on scientific exploration in many areas: the origin of the universe, microscopic matter, natural phenomenon such as motion, sound, light and electricity, life and math. It displays the wonder and mystery of science and helps visitors experience the joy brought by exploration and discovery. The hall is made up of A Hall and B Hall with an exhibition area of 5,000 square meters (5,979 square yards) and eight theme exhibition sections--Miraculous Universe, Subtle Material, Mysterious Life, Law of Motion, Rhyme of Sound, Brilliance of Light, Magnetism and Lure of Science.
 This hall exhibits the development of sci-tech in agriculture, health, housing, information exchange, transportation and machines which are inextricably bound to the ordinary life of people. It is science and technology that make a more convenient and better life for us. This hall consists of six sections, including Source of Our Daily Life, Healthy Life, Household, Information and Traffic, and Smart Tools and Machinery.
 This hall has an area of 5,100 square meters (6,099 square yards). It concentrates on some crucial issues and challenges that human beings face. It shows the contributions made by technological innovation and imagines the future. Meanwhile it guides visitors to keep their eyes on and recognize the problems of technological development. The hall is divided into seven sections: About the Earth, Energy World, New Material, Genes and Life, Ocean Development, Space Exploration and About the Future. It contains 138 exhibitions. Even visitors can personally conduct some projects, for example, making a model of the Tibetan Plateau or imitating astronauts.
 Motion Theater is equipped with three groups of movable seats and can hold 60 visitors. Visitors see the film sitting on six free-moving platforms. The platforms can move in concert with the film. The motion of the visitors’ bodies will be in line with the plot of the film. It will provide an exciting journey. Dome Theater can hold 442 visitors and is equipped with seats for the disabled. It can be used to broadcast films and a dome planetarium show. Huge-screen Theater is one of the world's most advanced theaters. It can accommodate 632 visitors. The screen is 29.85 meters (97 feet) wide and 22 meters (72 feet) high. 4D Theater adopts 4D special-effects, based on the three-dimension film itself, together with environmental special-effects. It integrates listening, seeing, smelling and touching for the visitors and makes people feel part of the scene.
 By Subway
1. Take Subway Line 8  or Line 15 to Olympic Park Station, exit from G, and walk east for 2 minutes to East Hujing Rd. Walk north along the road for about 5 minutes, you will get there.
2. Take subway line 8 to South Gate of Forest Park Station, exit from C, and then walk east for 3 minutes to East Hujing Rd. Walk south along the road for about 5 minutes to the museum.
Beijing Bus / Subway Search

Fees for main exhibition halls (except Science Paradise Hall)	CNY 30; Free for children under 1.3m (4.3ft) or under 8 and the old over 60
Fees for Science Paradise Hall	CNY 30 for morning time, afternoon time respectively
Fees for Theaters	CNY 30; Note: Children under 1.2 meters and seniors over 70 cannot enter the Motion Theater; expectant mothers cannot enter the 4D theater.
Opening hours	Main exhibition halls: 9:30-17:00  Science Paradise Hall: 9:30 - 12:50; 13:40 - 17:00

  Information desk: located on the first floor of the West Hall. It provides consultation service and is equipped with public telephone, banks, ATM machine, umbrellas, bassinets and wheelchairs.
 Dining room: located in southeast corner of underground first floor.
 Lockers: located in north side and southwest side (for heavy luggage) of the West Gate on the first floor, and in northwest side of the main exhibition halls on the second floor.

 Recommended Nearby Attractions:
  National Stadium (Bird's Nest)
  National Aquatics Center (Water Cube)
  Olympic Forest Park