The Beijing planetarium and the Old Observatory, the national museums of natural Sciences. Their goal is to promote the knowledge of astronomy among different segments of the population, therefore, in the building of the planetarium hosts a permanent exhibition, lectures.

The building itself was built in 1957. In the planetarium is a celestial theatre, West and East exhibition hall. In 2001 and 2004 was built and equipped new territory planetarium, and by 2008 he was picked up. For visitors is available the projection dome, star theatre with 3D and 4D images.

The diameter of the dome is 23 meters, and in the screening room can accommodate 600 people. The basic premises of the planetarium is a planetarium, Observatory and exhibition hall in which the new media station and a planetarium Karl Seitz. The new building consists of showroom, comic theater, a 3D and a 4D theater, exhibition galleries.

3D-theatre consists of 6 complexes Turbo Ryde and is able to accommodate 48 people. All seats can simulate the flight in space, as well as the thrill of free falling. The 4D theater is equipped with 3D systems and special chairs, which produce different effects: photovoltaic, water spray, blowing air. Also in the room with a big screen 180 degrees. Hall able to accommodate nearly 200 people.

The Observatory, which is located in the heart of Beijing – the oldest in the world. It was created in 1442 in the Ming dynasty. Today, the Observatory and planetarium, created on its basis one of the most famous sites of the city. The Observatory occupies an area of 10,000 square meters, and the site itself is on a kind of platform made of stone with a height of about 15 meters and a width of 40 x 40 meters. This stone tower is the remaining part of the fortress wall that surrounded the city during the Ming dynasty.

In the courtyard of the Observatory are still standing some astronomical instruments: armillary sphere, created during the reign of the Ming dynasty; the gnomon solar watch.

Today the Observatory is a Museum, which operates under the leadership of the Beijing planetarium. Observatory available to the public since 1983.