Ningbo Science Exploration Center

宁波科学探索中心

Ningbo Science Exploration Center is located in the central corridor of Ningbo Eastern New City and the northwest block of Ningbo Cultural Square.
The exhibition hall covers an area of 55,000 square meters and is divided into six floors: permanent exhibition hall, temporary exhibition hall, dome theater, lecture hall,
The three floors of the exhibition hall are divided into "Ocean", "Harmonious Home" and "Universe".
There are three permanent exhibition halls; the fourth floor of the exhibition hall is divided into three permanent exhibition halls: "Human Body and Brain", "Human Skills" and "The Joy of Science".
Most of the exhibits in the six permanent exhibition halls are first seen in China, and are highly interactive and experiential.
Design concept.

Introduction

  • Attraction Location: Jiangdong District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China (浙江省宁波市江东区)

  • History: Opened in the early 2000s, the center was built to promote public understanding of science and technology. It is one of Ningbo’s main educational attractions for families and students.

  • Architecture: Modern design with spacious exhibition halls, interactive zones, IMAX-style theater, planetarium, and outdoor science playground. The building features high ceilings, open spaces, and large glass windows for natural light.

  • Cultural Value: Offers hands-on learning experiences in physics, chemistry, biology, space, and environmental science. It is a hub for STEM education in Ningbo and encourages interactive engagement for children and adults.

  • Other Information: The center hosts temporary exhibitions, science workshops, school visits, and science-themed performances. Ideal for family visits and educational trips.

Visiting Information

  • Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (Closed on Mondays)

  • Ticket Price: Adult: ¥40
    Student: ¥20 (with valid ID)
    Children under 1.2m: Free

  • Best Photo Spots: Planetarium dome, interactive science zones, outdoor playground, robot exhibition, IMAX theater entrance

  • Time Reference: 2–4 hours for full exploration, longer if attending shows or workshops

Where to Sleep (Nearby Hotels & Stays)

  • Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton Ningbo (宁波丽思卡尔顿酒店)
    Mid-range: Crowne Plaza Ningbo (宁波皇冠假日酒店)
    Budget & Boutique: Ningbo Riverside Hostel (江边青年旅社), Boutique Inn near Tianyi Square (天一广场附近精品民宿)

What & Where to Eat

  • Must-Try Dishes: Ningbo Seafood (宁波海鲜), Steamed Bun with Pork (小笼包), Braised Eel (红烧鳝鱼)
    Famous Spots: Seafood Street (海鲜街), Local Cafes near Jiangdong District (江东区当地餐馆), Riverside Restaurants near Moon Lake (月湖旁餐馆)

What Souvenirs to Buy

  • Science kits and educational toys (科学玩具)
    Books and stationery related to STEM (书籍和文具)
    Local Ningbo-themed souvenirs from museum gift shop (宁波纪念品)

Transportation

  • By Bus: Take Bus 39, 52, or 60 to Ningbo Science Exploration Center stop (科学探索中心站)
    By Taxi: Approx. 20–30 minutes from Ningbo Railway Station
    By Car: Parking available on site; accessible via main roads in Jiangdong District

Nearby Attractions

  • Moon Lake Park (月湖公园) – ~1.5 km, accessible by taxi or 20-minute walk
    Ningbo Museum (宁波博物馆) – ~2 km, accessible by short taxi ride or bike
    Tianyi Pavilion Library (天一阁) – ~2 km, reachable via taxi or walking

Tips for Visitors

  • Best for families and students; plan at least 2–3 hours
    Check daily schedules for planetarium shows and IMAX screenings
    Photography is allowed in most interactive zones
    Wear comfortable shoes for walking and exploring exhibitions
    Bring small snacks or water; food options available inside the center

Recommended Itineraries

  • D1: Morning: Ningbo Science Exploration Center → Lunch: Local restaurant in Jiangdong District → Afternoon: Moon Lake Park (月湖公园) → Evening: Dinner near Tianyi Square (天一广场)
    Transportation: Walking or taxi between attractions
  • D1: Morning: Ningbo Science Exploration Center → Afternoon: Ningbo Museum (宁波博物馆) → Evening: Explore Old Bund (宁波老外滩)
    Transportation: Short taxi rides or bike rental
  • D1: Cultural & Science Route: Morning: Ningbo Science Exploration Center → Noon: Lunch at Seafood Street (海鲜街) → Afternoon: Tianyi Pavilion Library (天一阁) → Evening: Moon Lake Park (月湖公园)
    Transportation: Walking, short taxis, or local buses

User Reviews

By Sister Lan |

It's been a while since I've been to the Science and Technology Museum. Buying tickets online in advance is 20 yuan cheaper than going on site. Parking is free downstairs for 4 hours. There are plenty of parking spaces.

 

Because I had other things to do later, I spent two and a half hours there. I felt like I spent too much time on the second floor; the third floor was much more fun. It was a shame we arrived too late, especially because we had to wait in line for the earthquake experience. 👥 We young people thought the whole museum was okay, but the elderly seemed a bit bored. Most of the visitors were with children, but a lot of the information was completely incomprehensible to children under 10. 😵

 

It is true that some of the equipment is old and damaged. There are interactive cards that can be used as task set stickers, which increases the playability. In the end, I took a small building block and n stickers.

 

It’s also a science and technology museum, but the one in Shanghai is really more cost-effective💰.

By tree |

Adult tickets are 90 yuan and the gate closes at 4:30 pm. It is recommended to go there early.

1. There are 6 science and technology museums and several theater performances (I don’t know when the theater performances will start)

2. If you want to try out everything in the 6 museums, it will take about 3-4 hours (assuming you don't spend too much time on any one attraction)

3. It is very good to take children to explore and learn

By Liu Zhijun |

Suitable for children above grade one. Some facilities were damaged and not repaired in time.

By Eyes stained with stars |

Very suitable for parents and children. Children can learn a lot of scientific knowledge.

By vivien |

The center is in Yinzhou. The exhibition hall has four floors. There are different theme exhibition halls from the second floor to the fourth floor. We walked up and experienced the typhoon, earthquake and boat ride more vividly.

By +Blue Rose+ |

The Ningbo Science Exploration Center's exhibitions revolve around the theme of "Human Exploration," exploring the natural environment and humanity. While promoting scientific knowledge, the center also aims to inspire a passion for scientific exploration and promote scientific thought, methods, and spirit. The second floor features the "Ocean," "Harmonious Home," and "Universe" exhibition halls; the third floor houses the "Human Body and Brain," "Human Skills," and "The Joy of Science" exhibition halls. The vast majority of exhibits in the six halls are domestic firsts, offering a highly interactive and experiential experience.

By why |

It is very suitable for taking elementary school students and above to visit and learn. It is scientific and can be operated. It is very interesting~~~

By Nine-life Zi Chou |

This is a place suitable for family travel, which can satisfy many of the children's curiosity.

By Mirror center |

A place that integrates various types of science, including the universe, nature, humanities, atmosphere, ocean, etc. It is a place that scholars, students, and natural science enthusiasts should visit. The entire venue is neatly decorated and elegant. Because we went there late that day, we only visited some of the venues, including the Universe Hall, Ocean Hall, Human Science Hall, etc. We will visit them again next time if we have the chance.

By Make a little money |

It's a good place for children. It's very big and you can learn a lot and play for half a day.

By Dream Elf |

The Ningbo Science Exploration Center is Ningbo's first large-scale science and technology museum and China's first large-scale, comprehensive, interactive, and experiential science museum themed around "exploration." Located in the central corridor of Ningbo's Eastern New Town, northwest of Ningbo Cultural Plaza, the center boasts a total floor area of approximately 55,000 square meters, equivalent to six football fields.

The six floors are equipped with permanent exhibition halls, temporary exhibition halls, dome theaters, lecture halls, multi-functional halls and other unique experience and display spaces.

The Ningbo Science Exploration Center's exhibitions revolve around the theme of "Human Exploration," exploring the natural environment and humanity. While promoting scientific knowledge, the center also aims to inspire a passion for scientific exploration and promote scientific thought, methods, and spirit. The second floor features the "Ocean," "Harmonious Home," and "Universe" exhibition halls; the third floor houses the "Human Body and Brain," "Human Skills," and "The Joy of Science" exhibition halls. The vast majority of exhibits in the six halls are domestic firsts, offering a highly interactive and experiential experience.

By backpacker |

The Science Exploration Center is especially suitable for primary school students to visit and increase their knowledge

By feefee |

I often set up exhibitions there, and there are different activities every season. It is a place suitable for students to experience.

By uchanゞ |

Suitable for family travel, it will be fun to take the children there~

By Flying Dandelion V |

Those who cannot get what they want are always in turmoil, while those who are favored are fearless

By Cat pouncing on bear |

Located in Ningbo Eastern New Town Cultural Square, the newly built Science and Technology Museum

By To zhi1201 |

It houses the unique 4D dome cinema in Ningbo

By xiaomaotoua5 |

This place is suitable for children to play for a whole day. There are several halls, divided into different categories. The disadvantage is that there are few food inside and it is expensive.

By Brilliant broken bicycle |

It's a more interesting place. I've been to a better science and technology museum. There are a lot of things to learn. It's more suitable for children.

By Boundless |

This is the best science and technology museum I've visited in several cities. Its six exhibition halls cover everything from the universe to human skills, and 90% of the content is interactive. Staff members are friendly, enthusiastic, and patient, offering guidance and prompts. The interactive equipment doesn't need major maintenance. It's quite crowded on weekends, often with parents bringing their children. There are also events, and a wraparound movie on the fourth floor (which requires a separate ticket). A full day is enough to fully experience it.

By The fur ball shakes its legs |

It is very large inside and suitable for taking children to study and visit, and you can stay there for a whole day.

By Mediterranean blue |

I went there twice. It might be more suitable for children, and the tickets are really not cheap.

By fish |

I've been to the Science and Technology Center with my students. It's quite large. It's inside the Cultural Square. Parents can bring their children there to play.

By Prodigal Son Ba Ren |

A great place for children to visit, highly recommended

By Yunye Diverfly |

Located in the Ningbo Eastern New City Cultural Square, it is suitable for popularizing scientific knowledge for children, including knowledge about marine life, the universe, etc.

By The little emperor loves traveling |

Located near the Cultural Square in the High-tech Zone, it's pretty good. There are several projects worth visiting.

By Kill Honglang with the Unparalleled Sword~~River Fish in the Middle River |

The scenery inside is nice, the children like it very much, and the play is more informative

By Little Snow Elf |

Suitable for children, it seems that many schools organize students to go

By Panda Slow Travel |

Located in the Ningbo New District Cultural Square, a good place for students' science education

By Ningbo girl |

Children's paradise, in the center of the cultural center square ~ comprehensive entertainment ~

By Snow on the tiles |

There are many different activities in it, which is very good for children. Parents can bring their children to play on weekends.

By Ella |

I went there once, it was quite interesting, let me learn

By BigBird |

The ticket is very expensive, the place is very big, there are restaurants and cinemas around the cultural square

By Luang Prabang at night |

Since it opened last year, I always take my children there, and they never get enough of playing from opening to closing. There are many aspects such as the human body, land, sea and air, human life, science, etc., such as human body systems, typhoon experience, 3D rolling ring, earthquake, subway experience, etc. There is also a special area for preschool children. For lunch, you can get a rubber stamp on the back of your hand at the exit, and then go out of the science and technology museum to the attached restaurant for dinner, which has more choices. After the meal, you can enter the museum again for free with the rubber stamp on the back of your hand, so be sure not to wash it off when washing your hands. Because there is always too much content to watch, I didn’t buy another ticket to watch a movie or something. I recently applied for a family sharing card, so I can enjoy the privilege of free admission all year round. This time I want to watch the dome movie on the 4th floor, haha

By Let him go with all the trouble |

As an annual passholder there, I've participated in quite a few events, not just exhibitions. They're generally pretty good. We even participated in an essay contest. Recently, there was a Happy Farm Monopoly event, and I had a blast taking my kids there.

By Three cat cookies |

The dome movie is amazing. You can see behind you. The kids screamed as soon as they entered the theater.

By Mirarami |

The venue is very large and it takes a whole day to visit it. Some exhibits require queuing, so it is recommended that you get a venue guide first.

By Nana is Yu |

A great place to learn about science and technology while having fun. We bought an annual pass, which gives us free entry and exit for a year. Some of the activities are quite interesting, and there will probably be a Running Man show in April.

By freckles |

It's not bad. If you go with a family, you can probably play for half a day. It's okay to take your children to have a look.

By Flowers are not many |

The kids love it here, and the underground parking lot is free. I'll come here often.

By Avalanchefly |

Very good, the food in the underground food city is cheaper and more delicious than other scenic spots

By Cute Hand Cream |

The place is good, a little far from the city center, it would be better if the education content is higher

By Just be happy |

The exhibition hall is very large and is suitable for children to increase their knowledge and broaden their horizons. The flow of people was OK when we entered the hall at 9:30. We walked for three hours and only visited three exhibition halls. One day is not enough for a detailed visit. It is recommended to launch a two-day ticket in the future to allow repeated entry. The Universe Hall on the second floor is very interesting. We also saw Dancing with Lightning, which was very magical. The staff inside conducted personal experiments. The children were very interested. It is very convenient to go directly to this place on Metro Line 1. It is a place worth visiting again.

By Spring Flowers |

A wonderful exhibition hall with rich exhibition content and a lot of things to play, such as a simulated space capsule, a mirror maze, and "I am a conductor", etc. You can also pay extra to watch a dome movie. Although the ticket price is a bit high, it is worth it. Just a reminder that the museum is closed on Mondays, so you can go there on weekends.

By Shooter Zhou Xiaodou |

I went there and it was great. The venue is large enough for a whole day. The Universe Hall is the most fun. Go check it out!

By Qiqi loves Qiqi |

A family of three came here to play on the weekend. We arrived at the museum at 10:30 and left at 4:30. There is a parking lot under the museum, which can accommodate quite a lot of cars.

By A Little Grass 32 |

The Science and Technology Museum is actually a very good place. Many people overlook it, thinking it is for children. In fact, it is also very interesting and fun for adults.

By Pomegranate Mom Shanshan |

Although the Ningbo Science and Technology Museum is not a "famous tourist attraction", I personally like it very much. Not only are there various scientific equipment here, but most importantly, many of the displays are interactive and interesting. There are also many popular science movies to watch. These movies are definitely not as boring as science and education films, but as thrilling as Hollywood blockbusters. You can basically spend a whole day wandering around the Science and Technology Museum. The recommended way to visit the Science and Technology Museum is to first visit the 2F (Harmonious Home - Universe - Ocean), and then the 3F (Human Body and Brain - The Joy of Science - Human Skills). It will probably take a whole day to finish watching all of this. The 3F dome theater is also worth seeing if you have the chance. The most convenient way to get there is the subway. Take Metro Line 1 and go directly to Haiyan North Road.

By Final Dance 40 |

I went there on the weekend to experience Happy Farm Monopoly. There was the big sieve I imagined, and the cute and soft dice. We finally won the farmer's gift pack. It was the first time for the child to plant vegetables so seriously.

By Ding Ding Dong 031 |

Last week, there was a Happy Farm Monopoly game there. I took my son with me and we were pretty lucky. We went back to the lounge once in the middle, and everything else went smoothly. We also went to their exhibition hall to find tasks and had a lot of fun. In the end, we even planted strawberries. Haha, it seems that we need to check regularly to see how the plants we planted are growing.

By But the fool clown |

My kids loved the Ocean Hall the most, where they could play in the water and see tropical fish. I loved the Universe Hall the most, which was very mysterious. It was quite interesting! I just got an annual pass for the Science and Technology Museum, so I'm going to go there more often and make back the money. Hahahaha

By Jimei Bingbing |

When I was in Shanghai, I loved the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. Now that Ningbo has its own, I feel the local scientific and cultural atmosphere will only get better and better, and our children will be happier and more successful. The Ningbo Science and Technology Museum is relatively new, and it's both fun and educational. I'm sure it will continue to improve.

By CHO_HRO |

It is very suitable for children to learn scientific knowledge. There are some places where they can operate hands-on, and the venue is also quite large.

By Giant salamander |

It's a place that children like to go. It's quite big inside. We went there on weekends, and there were not many people. Basically, there was no need to queue for each project. We played for a whole day.

Very happy, a good place to learn and have fun.

By Child |

It's a great place for children to learn about science. There are six exhibition halls, including ocean, universe, science, and typhoon and earthquake experiences. The technology is quite high, so it's suitable for third graders and above.

By Teacher Wang can't sit still |

A good place for extracurricular education, it provides scientific education in a more interesting way than classroom teaching. There is no teacher, only the children's active learning experience. It is good, but it still requires the guidance of parents, otherwise it will become a simple amusement park.

By Xiao Xiaobin |

We are frequent visitors there and have participated in many activities there. We are considered die-hard fans. The six permanent venues are very good. We are mainly participating in their

Activities, such as Running Man, Winter Camp, and Wonderful Night. Yesterday I also submitted an article to participate in their essay contest, hoping to get the title of a true fan.

Got the gift I wanted, haha

By Autumn colors in waves |

The kids loved it, it's worth going there a few more times, the dome movie inside is also great

By NB Qian Xiaoduo |

There are so few places to eat nearby, and the attractions are just average. The knowledge I learned in middle and high school is presented in a different format. The staff are quite attentive in explaining things, but I can't ask too much, as they don't know the answers. It's just enough for children to learn. Three stars for fun, four stars for environment, three stars for knowledge, and one star for basic facilities. If it weren't for the convenient subway, I wouldn't bother driving so far...

By The Emperor suffers from morning sickness |

This is a super awesome place!!! Highly recommended!!! When others first introduced it to the Science and Technology Museum, I thought it was just for looking at pictures and models, but I didn't expect it to be so much fun. You can basically operate it yourself, which is not boring at all. Some of the mini-games are more exciting than children. You must experience the earthquake and lightning! It's very exciting!

By Watermelon girl nadome |

Everything else was good, except for the staff, who seemed unskilled. When I asked them where the Running Man show was, they told me it was upstairs. When I got there, they told me to ask downstairs. Not great. Fortunately, the activities afterwards were quite interesting and I had a lot of fun. It was my first time at a science and technology museum, and I really learned a lot.

By The Kite Runner |

Booking tickets online is very convenient. The Discovery Center has several venues including the ocean, universe, and social environment. You cannot eat during the visit, so it is recommended to bring some water. You can come back if you go out to eat on the same day.

By Islanders |

There are six large exhibition halls on the second and third floors of the center. Each floor has clear signage and rest areas where you can relax if you're tired. However, once we got in, we realized we didn't have enough time and should have gone earlier. So much of the experience was hands-on. The kids were thrilled! Not only did we adults enjoy the experience, but we also had a few photos at the beginning. We mainly explored the three exhibition halls on the second floor, with a brief tour of the third floor, which was a bit disappointing. We stayed until closing time, and the kids were a little reluctant to leave.

By Spring flowers bloom |

You can play for a whole day! We went there at noon! Many projects have not been played yet! It's okay! Bring the children! It's still meaningful! Recommended to go once!

By Paradise in Lhasa |

It's a big place with a good cinema, fitness center and restaurants. It's a great place to learn things that you can't find in books.

By Galloping Asa |

The biggest advantage of the newly opened museum is that there are fewer people. It is not as crowded as the science and technology museums in some big cities. The place is large and one day is not enough. It is not far from the highway exit. Overall it is good

By Xiaoya |

Located in the Cultural Square of the Eastern New City, there are six exhibition halls where you can learn a lot of knowledge and have fun. The main purpose is to let children learn and feel the spirit of science.

By Deep Blue Hana |

Good, well planned, great content, worth taking your children to

By kokomilove |

The place is very big and it is very tiring to take a baby there alone. It is worth recommending a place to visit.

By The taciturn Xu Dabei |

It is a very suitable place to take children for science education. The place is very large and the content is very comprehensive. We visited one floor in one morning and will continue next time. One day is not enough.

By Listen to the wind sing |

We experienced typhoons, earthquakes, lightning, and even watched a dome movie. It was pretty good.

By Look up to the ideal and look down at the reality |

The child was less than 1.2 meters tall and thus free of charge, so I only bought two adult tickets, 100 yuan each. It was not bad, but unfortunately the child was too young to play with many things. Later on, he was just taking photos. His father had more fun, but I don’t understand the world of science boys. I’ll bring the child to play when he is older. It is recommended that people above the primary school level go there.

By Cancer Garfield |

I went to the Science and Technology Museum on the weekend, and aside from some very popular attractions, there were basically no lines. It's huge, probably holding about 4,000 to 5,000 people, so it didn't feel crowded. I personally hate waiting in lines, so this was very important to me... The attractions were all quite interesting, with mini-games and multimedia, and they generally required hands-on experience. It was much better than those science and technology museums that are just for fun. The kids had a blast, and I felt like my legs were breaking from walking. The entrance fee of 100 yuan for adults and 60 yuan for children was quite worth it. It's a pity that I didn't get to visit two more attractions sooner. I recommend planning a two-day trip there; one day would be too rushed, I think.

By Universal calculator |

It's pretty cool and exciting. My child is too young to go there during an earthquake. He's scared... Haha

By Beautiful spring |

It's a wonderful place, a true haven for Ningbo children to study and play in their spare time. Classroom education is only one part of it, but extracurricular learning is what subtly improves personal qualities! Thanks to the Science and Technology Museum, the quality of Ningbo's citizens will surely be even higher!


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