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Shanghai Science and Technology Museum

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The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction and a patriotic education base.

The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is an important science education and leisure tourism destination in Shanghai. The project covers an area of over 68,000 square meters, with a total construction area of 98,000 square meters. The exhibition content consists of five main pavilions—Universe and Earth, Life, Wisdom, Creation, and Future—as well as temporary exhibition halls, with a total investment of 1.755 billion RMB. As the city’s foremost science education base and a key hub for spiritual civilization development, it offers visitors an engaging experience where they can learn about modern scientific knowledge and be inspired by the spirit of science.

The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum (ShanghaiScienceandTechnologyMuseum) is the first major social and cultural project invested in by the Shanghai Municipal Government in the new century. With the theme of “Nature, People, and Technology,” and aimed at improving public scientific literacy, it serves as a key science education and leisure tourism destination in Shanghai. Located in the Huamu Administrative and Cultural Center, west of Century Square and adjacent to Century Park to the south, it hosted the 2001 APEC Informal Leadership Meeting.

The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum project covers an area of over 68,000 square meters, with a total construction area of 98,000 square meters. The exhibition content consists of five main pavilions—Universe and Earth, Life, Wisdom, Creation, and Future—as well as temporary exhibition halls, with a total investment of 1.755 billion RMB. This includes 855 million RMB for construction and installation, 500 million RMB for initial exhibits, and 400 million RMB for secondary exhibits.

The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum features seven exhibition areas—the Earth’s Crust Exploration, Biodiversity, Light of Wisdom, Audiovisual Paradise, Cradle of Designers, Rainbow Land, and Natural History Museum—as well as supporting facilities including an IMAX theater, OMNIMAX theater, 4D theater, Space Theater, conference hall, souvenir shop, temporary exhibition hall, multi-function hall, and bank.

As the primary science education base and a key hub for spiritual civilization in Shanghai, the museum centers on the theme of “Nature · People · Technology.” Its mission is to enhance the scientific and cultural literacy of all citizens and elevate the city’s overall competitiveness. It integrates exhibitions and participation, education and research, collaboration and exchange, collection and creation, as well as leisure and tourism. Through interdisciplinary approaches and engaging, educational methods, it provides visitors with enlightening experiences in a delightful setting.

It integrates education, scientific research, collaboration, exchange, collection, production, leisure, and tourism. Through an interdisciplinary approach and an entertaining educational method, every visitor can gain knowledge of modern science and be inspired by the spirit of science while enjoying engaging activities.

Exhibition Halls

The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum initially opened six exhibition areas and one branch pavilion: the Earth’s Crust Exploration area, where visitors can experience various geological changes; the Biodiversity area, showcasing rainforest terrains, tropical plants, fascinating species, and the mysteries of life; the Children’s Science Park, where young visitors can observe the external world and participate in hands-on science activities; the Light of Wisdom area, revealing natural laws and demonstrating various scientific phenomena; the Cradle of Designers area, emphasizing that “good ideas” are the source of innovation; the Audiovisual Paradise area, displaying modern information and film technologies; and the Natural History Museum branch, exhibiting over 3,000 precious specimens of humans, animals, and ancient organisms, telling the story of life. From the vastness of the cosmos to the tiny cells of living beings, numerous scientific principles and technological achievements are presented here in vivid and educational ways, inspiring and enlightening visitors. Additionally, there are IMAX 3D theaters, OMNIMAX theaters, and 4D theaters that offer thrilling and immersive experiences. The second phase of the exhibition project, currently in planning and design, will introduce several new exhibition areas with more comprehensive content, advanced technology, and richer formats.

Basement Level 1

Basement Level 1 is the most service-oriented public area in the museum, housing the ticketing hall, Food Republic,

Shanghai Science and Technology Museum Basement Level 1 (20 photos) dining area, leisure corridor, and temporary exhibition hall. Additionally, the IMAX 3D theater and OMNIMAX theater are located in this area. You can exit Metro Line 2 at “Shanghai Science and Technology Museum Station,” then take the escalator or walkway from Century Square or the museum’s sunken plaza to enter through Gate 6. After purchasing your ticket, you can take the escalator inside the hall to the ground floor ticket-checking area, and proceed to the exhibitions after passing through security. Introduction to Temporary Exhibition Hall (Temporary Exhibition Pavilion Area)

The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum has a dedicated venue for external exhibitions, located on B1 of the museum, covering approximately 1,200 square meters. It is fully equipped with water and electricity supplies, and the exhibition area has dedicated access routes and ticketing points.

Adjacent to the museum’s shopping area, banks, dining zone, and cinema area—places with high foot traffic—it is a must-pass location for museum visitors.

The Temporary Exhibition Hall is an ideal venue for exhibitions and displays. Exhibitors can host events independently or co-organize various science and technology exhibitions, as well as showcases of scientific and technological achievements, in collaboration with the museum.

OMNIMAX Theater

The OMNIMAX Theater at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is a unique venue that combines OMNIMAX film screenings and celestial shows, integrating education and entertainment.

The dome has a diameter of 23 meters and is tilted at 30 degrees, giving audiences the sensation of floating in space. It can accommodate 280 viewers.

The OMNIMAX Theater uses the world’s most advanced 70mm/15-perf IMAX single-projector system, which features film frames 10 times larger than standard 35mm film. Its unique “waveform loop” film transport system securely holds each frame in place, ensuring sharp and stable images. During screenings, the projector is lifted to the central window of the theater, and the image is projected onto the tilted dome via a 165-degree fisheye lens, covering over 85% of the screen. Visitors are completely immersed in the visuals from all angles, as if they are part of the scene. Meanwhile, the theater’s 61-channel sound system delivers music and special effects through multiple speakers, creating an extraordinary audiovisual experience.

The celestial show in the OMNIMAX Theater utilizes a state-of-the-art digital planetarium system. “One Room, Roaming the Universe” aptly describes the experience. The planetarium presents accurate and realistic starry skies, simulating the view of the night sky and celestial movements from any location and time on Earth or in the solar system. Rare astronomical phenomena such as solar and lunar eclipses, comets, and meteor showers can be reproduced and predicted in the theater. The planetarium can also demonstrate planetary motion, astronomical coordinates, constellation patterns, bright stars, nebulae, star clusters, galaxies, and the Milky Way according to educational needs. In addition, when combined with auxiliary projectors, it can simulate cosmic scenes from other planets—views only astronauts can see. Thus, as soon as visitors enter the OMNIMAX celestial theater, they feel as though they are journeying through the universe.

Collection Exhibition Area

The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum aims to collect natural and human heritage from East China and even across China.

By preserving these natural and human relics, the museum conducts academic research using its collections to enhance understanding of nature and its evolutionary history. Through exhibitions and interpretation, it communicates the educational value represented by these collections.

The collection area currently houses around 250,000 items, categorized into five major groups: plants, animals, paleontology and geology, and humans. Plants are further divided into six types: seed plants, ferns, mosses, algae, lichens, and fungi. Animals include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, and insects. Humans are classified under physical anthropology and folk anthropology. Among them, there are about 150,000 plant specimens, 3,186 mammal specimens, 9,456 fish specimens, 9,407 bird specimens, 8,524 amphibian and reptile specimens, 44,555 invertebrate specimens, 27,880 insect specimens, 4,807 geological specimens, 6,676 paleontological specimens, 862 human folk specimens, and 16 ancient human remains. Among the many categories in the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, amphibians and reptiles are the most distinctive in the animal collection, accounting for 46.6% of China’s amphibian specimens and 56.3% of reptile specimens. The plant collection is notable for its comprehensive range of higher plants and lichens, while the paleontology collection features standout specimens such as the Shanwang fossil group, Holocene sub-fossil vertebrates from Shanghai, mammal fossils from Linqu in Shandong, and bird fossils from western Liaoning.

Fish Specimen Storage

The fish specimen collection at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum dates back to the Zhenjiang Museum founded in 1868 and the North China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society established in 1874. The oldest existing specimens originate from these institutions. Currently, the museum houses 1,272 fish species (including subspecies), totaling 9,456 specimens, representing about 43.9% of China’s fish species and approximately 6.36% of the world’s fish species. The collection excels in marine fish, making up about 80% of the total, particularly those from Xisha in Hainan. Among the fish specimens, there is 1 type of holotype with 9 specimens; 5 types of national first- and second-class rare specimens totaling 1,300 pieces; 30 types of new domestic records with 100 specimens; and 8 types of foreign specimens with 21 pieces. Many influential modern ichthyological works in China have cited specimens from this collection.

Established in 1874, the Asia Society currently houses the earliest existing specimens in its collection. At present, our museum has 1,272 species (including subspecies) of fish specimens, totaling 9,456 items, accounting for approximately 43.9% of China’s fish species and about 6.36% of the world’s fish species. The collection excels in marine fish specimens, which make up about 80% of the entire fish collection, particularly notable for those from Hainan’s Xisha Islands. Among the fish specimens, there is 1 type specimen consisting of 9 items; 5 types of rare national first- and second-class specimens totaling 1,300 items; 30 types of new domestic record specimens totaling 100 items; and 8 types of foreign specimens totaling 21 items. Influential ichthyological literature in modern China has frequently cited specimens from this museum.

Mammal Collection Room

There are currently 4,327 known living mammal species in the world, and China has 550 known living mammal species. The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum houses 331 species of mammal specimens, totaling 3,186 specimens. This accounts for 60.1% of China’s mammal species and 7.6% of the world’s. The museum’s mammal specimen collection can be traced back to the Zhen Dan Museum established in 1868 and the North China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society built in 1874. The oldest existing specimens date back to 1808, including 8 types and 8 specimens over 100 years old. There are 197 specimens from the North China Branch and 123 from the Zhen Dan Museum. Among the mammal specimens in our collection, there are 9 holotypes, 16 paratypes, and 3 syntypes; 46 species (287 specimens) under national first-class protection, and 477 specimens (52 species) under national second-class protection.

Geological Collection Room

The Geological Collection Room of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum was established in 1980, but the geological specimen collection can be traced back to the Zhen Dan Museum founded in 1868 and the North China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society built in 1874. Currently, the museum holds 4,807 geological specimens collected from Shanghai and other parts of China, categorized into minerals, rocks, and meteorites. The current collection includes the pre-liberation-era replica Cullinan Diamond set, the Changxing Island meteorite, cinnabar, and others, holding a notable position among collections in national museums.

Rocks and meteorites. The existing collection includes a replica of the Cullinan Diamond set (handed down before liberation), the Changxing Island meteorite, cinnabar, and others—its collection holds a notable position among national museum collections.

Paleontological Collection Room

The fossil specimen collection of the museum can be traced back to the Zhen Dan Museum founded in 1868 and the North China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society built in 1874, with over 100 specimens remaining from the Zhen Dan Museum. The current fossil collection amounts to 6,676 specimens, covering major categories of both plant and animal fossils. Highlights include 160 Shanwang Fossil Group specimens, 23 Holocene subfossil vertebrate specimens from the Shanghai area, as well as 4 mammal fossil specimens from Linqu, Shandong, and 4 bird fossil specimens from western Liaoning. The collection contains 1,727 type specimens, mainly comprising Mesozoic invertebrate fossils from Guizhou, as well as Paleozoic and Cenozoic gastropod fossils, along with one vertebrate fossil. Many influential modern paleontological publications in China have cited specimens from this museum.

Insect Collection Room

The museum’s insect and mite specimen collection totals 27,880 specimens across 848 species, 86 families, and 13 orders. The collection can be traced back to the Zhen Dan Museum established in 1868.

The collection includes 2,760 specimens from the North China Branch and 219 ecological specimens from the Zhen Dan Museum. Among the insect specimens, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera are the most abundant. Additionally, there are 23 mite type specimens (116 specimens), including 28 holotypes, 84 paratypes, and 4 syntypes. There is also one national first-class protected animal specimen, and four second-class protected animal specimens.

Bird Collection Room

China is home to 1,253 known bird species. The museum’s bird specimen collection includes 1,021 species (9,407 specimens) across 86 families, accounting for 81.48% of China’s bird species. The bird specimen collection can be traced back to the Zhen Dan Museum founded in 1868 and the North China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society built in 1874. The oldest existing specimen dates back to 1870, with 113 species (140 specimens) over 100 years old. Among the bird specimens in our collection, certain specimens are particularly distinctive. The collection also includes 29 species (146 specimens) of national first-class protected birds, and 140 species (1,099 specimens) of second-class protected animals. Additionally, there are 110 nests belonging to 38 species and 802 bird eggs from 93 species.

Amphibian and Reptile Collection Room

The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum houses 8,524 amphibian and reptile specimens, including 1,400 amphibian specimens (140 species: 3,885 in alcohol, 3936 specimens total) and 4,506 reptile specimens (218 species: 4,110 in alcohol, 4506 specimens total), accounting for 46.6% and 56.3% of China’s amphibian and reptile species, respectively. The museum holds 54 species of endemic Chinese amphibians (30.8% of China’s endemic species) and 37 endemic reptile species (27.8% of China’s endemic reptiles). The collection can be traced back to the Zhen Dan Museum founded in 1868 and the North China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society built in 1874. The oldest existing specimen dates back to 1902. Among the amphibian and reptile specimens, turtles and tortoises are particularly notable, with 31 out of the 37 species found in China represented in the collection. Additionally, there are 5 holotypes, 5 topotypes, 1 paratype; 3 new records; 6 species (117 specimens) under national first-class protection, and 15 species (315 specimens) under national second-class protection.

Invertebrate Collection Room

Invertebrates are the most diverse, numerous, and widely distributed animal group in the world, with 19 phyla and over 1.3 million known species. The museum’s invertebrate specimen collection can be traced back to the Zhen Dan Museum founded in 1868 and the North China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society built in 1874. The existing specimens left by the Zhen Dan Museum include 13 species (54 specimens), along with a batch of parasitic specimens made in 1933. Most of the current specimens were collected, donated, or exchanged after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, totaling 44,555 specimens (35,385 dry, 9,170 in alcohol), involving 11 phyla, 29 classes, 659 families, and 1,433 species. The collection excels in mollusk specimens, making up about 49.57% of the total. There is 1 type specimen (19 specimens), 3 species (16 specimens) under national first-class protection, and 3 species (126 specimens) under second-class protection.

First Floor (Ground Level)

The first floor is the main exhibition area of the Phase I project of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. It features five exhibition zones: "Biological World," "Earth Crust Exploration," "Children's Science Park," "Audiovisual World," and "Designer's Cradle," as well as a 4D Dynamic Cinema. Additional service facilities include the APEC Main Venue, Leisure Hall, and Coffee Lounge. If you are driving to the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, it is recommended that you park in the parking areas on both sides of the Gate 2 on Dingxiang Road. Enter through Gate 2 to the ticketing hall on this floor, purchase tickets, and proceed through the ticket gates to visit the exhibitions. It is suggested that you visit the Biological World exhibition first to avoid crowds.

The park features five exhibition areas—Wonderland, the Cradle of Designers—as well as a four-dimensional dynamic theater. In addition, there are service facilities such as the APEC Main Venue, leisure hall, and coffee lounge. If you are driving to the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, it is recommended that you park in the parking areas on both sides of the No. 2 Gate on Dingxiang Road. Enter through the No. 2 Gate to the ticketing hall on this floor, purchase your tickets, and then proceed through the ticket gates to visit the various exhibition areas on this level. It is recommended that you visit the Biodiversity exhibition area first to avoid crowds.

Biological World

The Biological World exhibition simulates the natural scenery of Yunnan, China, introducing visitors to biodiversity.

Shanghai Science and Technology Museum First Floor Landscape (19 photos)

Here, you can fully appreciate the rich variety of life and the interdependent relationships between species and ecosystems, as well as understand the importance of protecting the natural environment. Biodiversity mainly includes three levels: genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity. The exhibition is divided into two major parts: the Tropical Rainforest Area and the Stone Forest Area, covering an exhibition space of 3,000 square meters. The layered growth of tropical rainforest plants in the rainforest area showcases species diversity, while the Stone Forest Area—featuring a bat cave, amphibian and reptile corner, micro-world, insect garden, and bird kingdom—demonstrates ecosystem diversity. The "Forest Research Station" reveals genetic diversity and reflects cutting-edge achievements in genetic technology.

Earth Crust Exploration

The Earth Crust Exploration exhibition uses a combination of simulated scenes, interactive exhibits, specimens, films, and multimedia to demonstrate that our Earth is a “dynamic structure” that is constantly in motion, following its own developmental and evolutionary patterns. The exhibition primarily introduces the Earth’s position and movement in the universe, its material composition, structural form, surface features, and Shanghai’s natural geography. The exhibition area spans 2,200 square meters and is divided into three sections: the "Magnetic Levitation Earth Hall," the "Journey into the Earth’s Crust," and "Shanghai Natural Geography." With the theme "From Space to Earth → Deep into the Earth’s Crust → Returning to the Surface to See a Pearl of Earth – Shanghai," it illustrates the exhibition’s core message: "Understanding the Planet We Live On – Earth."

Rainbow Land (Rainbow Park)

Rainbow Land is a dreamlike children’s world designed for ages 1 to 12. Through a series of lively and engaging science and entertainment activities, children can explore the external world, observe natural phenomena, and participate in hands-on science experiences. The theme of the exhibition is knowledge and fun, science and play. In a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, children receive a foundation in science education, truly learning through play. The exhibition is divided into "One Park and Three Zones": a central garden for rest and play; the Dream Forest (ages 1–4) for perceiving the external world, featuring activities like electric swings and the Brave Path; the Adventure Zone (ages 5–8) for exploring the outside world, including areas like Little Architects and Young Botanists; and the Science Practice Area (ages 9–12) for participating in science activities, such as Light-Controlled Aircraft and Visual Communication. The exhibition area covers 1,200 square meters.

Audiovisual World (now demolished)

In the Audiovisual World exhibition, you can experience the magical charm brought by high-tech audio and video technologies. Through interactive exhibits involving robotics, virtual simulation, and film production technologies, the exhibition introduces the development of modern audio and video technologies and how they have transformed our work, lifestyle, and leisure. It is through the continuous advancement of technology that humans improve efficiency, enhance quality of life, and realize their dreams. The exhibition area covers approximately 1,100 square meters and features eight large-scale experiential exhibits.

Pavilion of the Wisdom Light

The Light of Wisdom exhibition area primarily features a wide array of interactive exhibits that demonstrate typical phenomena in physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, and other disciplines, revealing their fundamental laws and principles. It aims to cultivate visitors' hands-on skills, foster an understanding of scientific methods and thinking, and inspire the relentless spirit of exploration among scientists. The entire exhibition is designed based on the creative concept of "observing natural phenomena → analyzing typical phenomena → understanding natural laws," and is divided into an introductory hall, a central activity area, and an interactive exhibit area, covering an exhibition space of approximately 1,800? (including the mezzanine).

Cradle of Designers

The theme of the Cradle of Designers exhibition is computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), with an exhibition area of 800?. Here, visitors can personally engage in simple design and manufacturing activities, experiencing some of the fundamental technologies of modern design and advanced manufacturing, including CAD/CAM, laser engraving technology, and rapid prototyping technology. The Cradle of Designers exhibition area allows visitors to experience how design is present in every aspect of life and how anyone can become a designer through hands-on participation. The exhibition area includes a design and manufacturing zone, a visitor design zone, and a design masterpieces zone, featuring exhibits such as a gift carving station, 3D portrait scanning and production, a flexible assembly line, a business card and greeting card making station, an MTV production station, a CAD classroom, and a design gallery.

4D Theater

The 4D Theater at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is a Disney-concept theater with a capacity of 56 guests, combining three-dimensional movies with one-dimensional environmental effects. During screenings, environmental special effects inside the theater—such as water sprays, wind, vibrations, smoke, and seat movements—change in sync with the movie's plot, allowing audiences to genuinely feel phenomena like rain, ocean spray, falling into traps, or crabs biting their legs, fully immersing them in the film. It delivers a complete sensory experience for the eyes, ears, and body.

Second Floor

The Second Floor is one of the newly built exhibition areas of the museum’s second phase, featuring four exhibition zones: Earth Home, Information Age, Robot World, and Spider Exhibition.

In the Earth Home exhibition area, you can experience the interdependent relationship between humans and the Earth and learn about the challenges facing human development. The Information Age exhibition area offers a delightful experience of the benefits of the information era, inspiring hope for a better life. The Robot World exhibition area showcases a variety of robots where you can compete with them. The Spider Exhibition area lets you experience life from a spider’s perspective, revealing the astonishing diversity of life. If you need a rest, the Explorer's Corridor outside the second-floor exhibition areas is a great place to relax, reflect, and contemplate the challenging and lengthy history of scientific exploration.

Earth Home

The Earth's natural environment has been increasingly affected by the development of human society. Since the Industrial Revolution, rapid increases in productivity and population have led to a series of ecological and environmental issues. Sustainable development has become a common concern for all humanity. So, how have recent human activities impacted the Earth’s sustainability? What actions have humans taken for sustainable development? What key environmental knowledge and technologies should the public focus on? The Earth Home exhibition area addresses these questions through displays on ecological disasters, the transformation of Suzhou Creek, and environmental knowledge.

Information Age

The development of information technology has greatly transformed the way we live, learn, and work. The continuous upgrading of applied technologies across various industries has driven overall adjustments in industrial structure, placing society in a period of transformation. This exhibition area uses various physical exhibits to help visitors understand the differences between information technology and traditional technology, recognize the applications of information technology in modern life, learning, and work, experience the social characteristics of the information age, and deepen their understanding of an information-based society, smoothly integrating into the rapidly evolving information world.

Robot World

Traditional robot technology, based on simple automatic machinery, is transitioning to modern robot technology grounded in information technology. The application scope of robots has expanded into nearly every field of human activity.

So what is a robot? How does robot technology enable robots to undertake complex tasks? What is the intelligent essence of robots? How are robot technologies applied in our learning, daily life, work, and research? The Robot World exhibition area provides answers to these questions through various robot-related activities, showcasing how robotics is a comprehensive technology that integrates multiple disciplines. Here, you can watch robots doing exercises, compete with them in archery, see them dance, and even get your portrait drawn by a robot—experiencing the fun they bring.

Spider Exhibition

At the entrance of the Spider Exhibition area, there are six spider stamps. Inside, you can learn about spiders from around the world, including venomous spiders, their habits, egg-laying methods, lifestyles, and even see a giant live spider—all of which are featured in this exhibition.

Third Floor

The Third Floor is one of the newly built exhibition areas of the museum’s second phase, featuring three exhibition zones: Light of Exploration, Human and Health, and Space Exploration.

In the "Light of Exploration" exhibition area, you can browse the remarkable technological achievements of the 20th century and easily experience the wonders brought by quantum theory, relativity, material structure, genetic technology, nuclear energy, and lasers. In the "Human and Health" exhibition area, you’ll explore your own body through a thrilling "Journey Through the Digestive Tract," challenge yourself with various physical fitness tests, and learn about health topics such as myopia prevention, mental health, diet, and exercise—promising a truly fascinating experience. In the "Space Exploration" exhibition area, you’ll be captivated by a variety of spacecraft models, have the chance to try out fun astronaut training exercises, or embark on a mysterious and thrilling space journey in the "Space Theater."

After so many adventures, you’re bound to be tired—take a moment to rest in the "Explorer's Corridor." You’ve now embarked on the path of scientific exploration, and there’s still a long way to go…

Light of Exploration

Humanity achieved tremendous technological accomplishments in the 20th century that surpassed those of any previous century, profoundly altering the ways we produce, live, and perceive the world. These unprecedented changes not only greatly advanced societal development but also significantly improved the quality of human life. If the "Light of Wisdom" exhibition reflects mankind’s understanding of natural science in the 19th century, then the "Light of Exploration" exhibition showcases the brilliance of 20th-century science and technology. This exhibition area presents the most important scientific and technological achievements of the 20th century, including quantum theory, relativity, material structure, genetic technology, nuclear energy, and lasers.

Space Exploration

The vast universe, twinkling with stars, is full of mystery and constantly inspires us to explore and create dreams never before imagined. Spaceflight is an eternal topic for humanity. The realization of spaceflight can be considered one of the greatest technological achievements of the 20th century. But how was the dream of spaceflight realized? How much scientific knowledge did humanity accumulate for it? What creations and inventions were achieved? What arduous training was undertaken? What phenomena can we observe in the vast universe? The Space Exploration exhibition area is organized around these questions, divided into four sections: Space Knowledge, Space Training Experience, Space Achievements Display, and Space Theater. Its goal is to help visitors understand and explore these topics through various experiential activities.

Space Theater

The Space Theater (Digistar3) is China’s first multimedia dome theater that integrates technologies such as video splicing, image processing, audience interaction, and computer integration. The Digistar3 system consists of six video projectors with a total lighting power of 4,800 watts. Controlled by a computer, they project six seamlessly integrated images onto a 13-meter-diameter spherical screen, forming a complete global image. The Digistar3 system also boasts an impressive audio system, with powerful subwoofers and distributed speakers mounted behind the dome, delivering immersive digital sound through the screen into the theater.

The theater has 69 seats inclined at 23 degrees, allowing audiences to view the film almost lying down. The most innovative feature is the control button on each armrest, enabling viewers to influence the progression of the movie, achieving a realm where “the picture moves with you, and you think with the picture.” Immersed in this environment, you’ll feel as if you’re truly part of the adventure, experiencing the thrill and joy of space travel while completely forgetting you’re just watching a movie.

This theater is a major project of the museum’s second phase and is now officially open to the public.

Explorer's Corridor

The "Explorers' Corridor" primarily introduces the scientists who have left indelible achievements in human history and their stories. We focus on 20 scientists who, over the past three thousand years, have changed the world as we perceive and live in it.

In selecting individuals, we emphasize those who have played epoch-making roles in advancing science and civilization, while also appropriately considering figures from ancient and modern times, China and abroad, reflecting the site’s long history and diverse fields of scientific research.

Science Film City

Shanghai Science and Technology Museum's Science Film City houses four uniquely themed cinemas: the IMAX 3D Giant Screen Theatre, the IWERKS 4D Theatre, the IMAX Dome Theatre, and the Space Digital Cinema. These four distinctive cinemas are spread across the exhibition areas of the museum, forming the largest science film complex in Asia. The complex has a total of 846 seats, shows 42 screenings per day, and can accommodate up to 8,863 visitors daily.

In the IMAX 3D Giant Screen Theatre, audiences will be awestruck by the massive visuals and immersive 3D effects. It is one of the most advanced theatres in the world and the first operational giant-screen 3D theatre in mainland China.

In the IWERKS 4D Theatre, visitors can experience Disney-style wonder, where the impact of the fourth dimension challenges both body and mind.

In the IMAX Dome Theatre, audiences are surrounded by a massive spherical screen. With dynamic images all around and reclining seats tilted at 30 degrees, you’ll feel as if you’re floating in mid-air — an experience that’s both thrilling and hard to look away from.

In the Space Digital Cinema, viewers break free from traditional film reels. Like playing a game, audiences can influence the progression of the movie plot, perhaps pointing to the future direction of filmmaking. This is currently China’s first multimedia dome theatre utilizing digital technology.

Ticket Prices

Admission Tickets

[Note: ① "Admission Tickets" refer to access to all permanent exhibitions on each floor, excluding films. However, some films require an admission ticket before purchasing a movie ticket. ② Ticket offices are located inside the museum.]

Regular Ticket: 60 RMB/person

Student Ticket: 45 RMB/person (limited to full-time primary and secondary school students and children over 1.2 meters tall)

Children’s Ticket: 20 RMB/person (for children under 1.2 meters)

Free Admission: Retired cadres, active-duty military personnel, seniors over 70 years old, and people with disabilities (valid ID required)

Address: No. 2000 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

Type: Science Museum

Rating: AAAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 4–8 hours

Phone: 021-68622000

Opening Hours:

Tuesday–Sunday 9:00–17:15, ticket sales 9:00–16:30; closed on Mondays (except national holidays).

Ticket Information: