Starry starry nights are rarely seen in urban Beijing due to the light pollution from the city streets below.

But in downtown Beijing, you can lose yourself in a sea of galaxies at the Beijing Planetarium.

It is a place where children and adults can learn the difference between super novas and nebulas, milky ways and black holes.

Main attractions: There are two venues, the small, old planetarium, which has been running since 1957, and the new, large planetarium, armed with modern facilities and information.

The old planetarium with the green dome is highly recommended for its programs of star scenes and also its cheaper tickets (25 yuan or US$4 for one adult and a child). It is where kids, and probably yourself too, wow at myriad stars, planets and solar systems, and get a feel for our insignificant place in the vastness of the cosmos.

The programs (taking turns to run each hour at 30 minutes each) cover the solar system, nights above the northern hemisphere over the four seasons, and travels in the universe.

Eye-catchers: In the old venue, there are pictures of the solar system and constellations. You can also touch a meteorite.

In the new planetarium building, there is a solar exhibition, where you can observe the earth, see the movement of the sun, both via giant telescopes. You can even see sunspots on a reflective platform and copy them down on blank paper.

For a price there are sideshows where you can be tossed, spun and swirled while watching programs in 3D. Themes cover UFO exploration, Run Away from Dinosaur Island, and Ode to Life.

Add: No. 138, Xizhimenwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing;

Opening hours: 10 AM - 4:30 PM, Wed-Sun;

Tickets:

Solar exhibition: 10 yuan for adults, 5 yuan for kids;

SGI Digital Space Theatre: 45 yuan for adults, 35 yuan for kids;

3D Theater: 30 yuan for adults, 20 yuan for kids;

4D Theater: 30 yuan for adults, 20 yuan for kids;

Shows in the old planetarium: 15 yuan for adults, 10 yuan for kids;

Tel: 86-10-68352453, 86-10-68312517

(China Daily March 31, 2006)