Guangdong Science Center – The “Science Aircraft Carrier” of China

Set along the west end of Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center in Panyu District, the Guangdong Science Center earned its fame from day one in September 2008 as Asia’s—and possibly the world’s—largest science venue. The sweeping building, shaped like a futuristic ship providing shelter over lush outdoor spaces and an ecological lake, is hard to miss—and harder to forget. Inside, the Center spans thirteen thematic halls—including Children’s World, Experiment & Discovery, Transportation, Digital, Green Home, Flight, Human Body & Health, Perception & Thinking, plus a brand-new Math & Physics Panorama hall unveiled in 2024. Each is packed with interactive exhibits, immersive theaters (IMAX, 4D, dome, virtual flight), six open labs, and a sprawling outdoor science playground—making it both an educational powerhouse and a family-friendly playground. Architecturally, the building reflects its “science aircraft carrier” motif—a sleek, curved roof resembling a ship or blooming kapok flower, with natural light filtering through glass canopies into its multi-level atriums. Beneath it lies a shaded public plaza and eco-park that blend indoor exhibits with green outdoor relaxation zones—a thoughtful merger of science, nature, and design. #gzonbudget