Discover China Science and Technology Museum

Travelling in Beijing, if you don't know what to do after visiting all the worldwide renowned places like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, you could take a visit to the Science and Technology Museum which is located in the Beijing Olympic Forest Park. Although not being that famous as other ancient monuments and relics, the museum is actually a very interesting and entertaining place to go for a family outing where both parents and children can have fun and discover new things.

The museum is composed by two halls in two different buildings, the first one exhibits ancient Chinese technology such as astronomical devices, the compass, gunpowder, bronze smelting and casting, and so forth. The second one displays topics concerning astronautics, energy, communications, material science and mechanics, information technology, life science, and environmental science. You could also enjoy 3D or 4D films in the theater. The topics include science, cartoons, and stories of Chinese scientists.

This museum is the only one of its kind in China. In Beijing when someone is talking about this place, others immediately associate it with kids: it is like a giant interactive playground for them. It's got all the things you'd expect from a science and technology museum. The busiest gallery is on the first floor called "The Glory of China" displaying all the Chinese inventions; the second floor "Exploration and Discovery" focuses on human biology, nature, and the physics of sound, third floor is "The Way to Live" dealing about the human organism, fourth floor calls "Challenges the Future" displaying future technologies, on the fifth floor you have the "Science Paradise" a big playground for children, and on the sixth floor some restaurants. Not only that, but all of the exhibits work and are staffed. There is quite a lot of information in English, more than enough to make this a great museum for English speakers.

Travel tips:

The China Science and Technology Museum is located in the Olympic Village, you could take subway line 8 and get off at 'Olympic Green' Station or 'South gate of the Forest Park' Station. It's about 10-15 minutes' walking from either station.

The museum opens from Tuesday to Sunday 9:30-16:30. The ticket service closes at 15:30. To enter in the main exhibition gallery costs 30RMB per adult, 20RMB for students and 15RMB for people under 18.

If time permits, you would better visit the museum during workdays since your children could totally enjoy all the interactive attractions without lining up.