Opening Time: 9:30 - 16:00

Admission Fee: 10 RMB

Built in September 1957, the Beijing Planetarium was the first museum in China of its kind. Located at the Xizhimenwai Street of Beijing, the planetarium, with its cupola measuring 23.5 meters in diameter, is the main focus of interest of the entire complex. The 45-minute presentations take visitors on a trip to the sky made possible by projectors installed in the center of the hall which reproduce an image of the starry sky on the inside of the cupola.

In the courtyard are two astronomical observatories, one of which is equipped with a huge telescope measuring 13 centimeters in diameter. Visitors can observe the moon, planets, nebulae and star clusters and etc. via the telescope. On the west side of the planetarium is the astronomy square with observation apparatuses for visitors.

The planetarium also runs Astronomy Fan magazine by itself and Trade Edition Astronomical Calendar magazine jointly with Purple Mountain Observatory. The Ancient Observatory under the administration of the Beijing Planetarium is a fascinating place to visit. The observatory, built in 1442, displays astronomical instruments of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), such as celestial globe, plane sundial, rotary star dial and so on. The observatory includes a number of buildings such as Ziwei Hall, Sundial Shadow Hall and other auxiliary structures.

Right below the Observatory are three halls, which exhibit the astronomical achievements in ancient China, carved with the epigraphs from Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Address: No. 138, Xizhimenwai St., Xicheng District, Beijing (北京西城区西直门外大街138号)

Source: china.org.cn