Introduction to Beijing's science-technology museums

BEIJING, July 22 (Xinhua) -- There are more than a dozen museums on science and technology in Beijing, among them are the Chinese Science and Technology Museum, Geological Museum of China, Beijing Museum of Natural History, and China Aviation Museum. The last will be dealt with in a separate article.

The museum, in the northern part of downtown Beijing, was opened to the public in 1988. It was the first comprehensive state-controlled science and technology museum in China.

Activities include popular science exhibits, Astro-vision film shows, training-based education programs and experiment-based exhibitions.

The museum covers more than 53,000 meters and boasts over 700 exhibits. The "Ancient Chinese Traditional Technology Exhibition" displays some of the technologies and processes, such as paper making and production of porcelain, that were invented by the Chinese.

In the "Modern Technology Hall," there are exhibits explaining the theories that underlie modern scientific thought and some important equipment that we use today. There are huge models of the universe, an exhibit explaining how a chronometer works, and information about telluric physics.

The "Science and Technology Hall" has a large vaulted ceiling that acts as a movie screen. A film about contemporary science is regularly shown.

Further Information:

Address: Anhua Bridge, North Third Ring Road

Opening hours: Usually 9:00 a.m. -- 4:30 p.m. (Closed Monday); Ticket sales begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. During school summer vacations, during July 1-9 and Aug. 21-31, it opens for the whole week. From July 10 to Aug. 20, it extends its opening time by one hour.

Entry ticket: 50 yuan (about 7 U.S. dollars)/person

Telephone: 6237 9311; 6237 1177 ext. 7117 (for group ticket reservations)

Website: