Construction of the planetarium started in 2001 as a key project in Beijing. It cost an investment of more than 300 millionyuan (US$36.1 million).

　　The old planetarium in Beijing hosted tens of millions visitorsever since it opened in 1957. Its scale and equipment gradually fell behind people's growing thirst for astronomical science.

　　The new planetarium, which covers a total floor space of 20,000square meters, has a digital universe theater, a 3D theater and a number of up-to-date equipment such vacuum telescope and a 400mm telescope.

　　China has 286 million people under age 14. The planetarium is one of the most attractive spots for them to learn popular science.