Packing Curiosity: Qingdao Hisense 'Science Exploration Center'

In 1989, Haizi's line "Facing the sea, with spring flowers blossoming"—did it plant a dream of seaside living in everyone's heart? Where in China has the richest blend of mountain breeze and ocean charm? After some thought, I set my sights on Qingdao, nestled by the Yellow Sea and beside the Laoshan Mountains.

Everyone's longing for Qingdao is different: is it the red roofs and green trees of Badaguan? The golden beach under blue skies and sea? The irresistible Qingdao beer? Or the mouthwatering seafood?

I recall what Mr. Kang Youwei said about Qingdao early last century: "Red roofs, green trees, blue sea, clear sky; neither too cold nor too hot, fit for boats and oars." I think this is the most poetic, perfect, and precise summary of Qingdao.

In recent years, Qingdao has gradually entered the spotlight as a social media-worthy city: the Zhanqiao Pier, Badaguan, May Fourth Square, Laoshan, the Eye of the Piano Island Ferris wheel... Beyond these familiar sights, Qingdao has a hidden-gem landmark that was transformed from an old factory—the Hisense Science Exploration Center.

The space was formerly the Hisense TV factory. After several renovations, its façade looks very different from before. However, the interior structure still retains the flat-slab floors and umbrella-shaped columns from the TV factory days. These two spatial features deserve to be preserved intact.

On such a scorching summer day, we brought our son Taishan here to escape the sun, enjoy the air-conditioning, and embark on an edutainment journey of scientific exploration.

As the nation's first comprehensive science exploration and popular science base themed on 'science and natural exploration,' it comprises five main halls with over 500 exhibits and displays, including more than 200 interactive experiences. From toddlers to adults, everyone can find their own niche. Kids can play for a whole day, and parents won't feel bored either.

The design firm Luozhu once said: 'Beauty comes from a fleeting glimpse within order.' This is the consensus and judgment formed by the human eye and brain after education—a majority aesthetic value orientation that involves skill and shared understanding.

Tips & Directions:

1. Metro Line 2, Zhiquan Road Station, Exit B.

2. Metro Line 3 transfer to Line 2, Zhiquan Road Station, Exit B.

From the airport: Take Airport Express Line 1 to the Bus East Station, walk 504 meters to Liaoyang East Road Metro Station, take Line 2 to Zhiquan Road Station Exit B, then walk about 300 meters.

Alternatively, take bus 701 to Bus East Station, walk 504 meters to Liaoyang East Road Metro Station, take Line 2 to Zhiquan Road Station Exit B, then walk about 300 meters.

From Qingdao Railway Station: Take Metro Line 3 to May Fourth Square Station, transfer to Line 2 to Zhiquan Road Station Exit B, then walk about 300 meters.

There are seven permanent exhibition areas where you can explore the human body's mysteries, the laws of motion, magical light and shadows, amazing science, intimate magnetic fields, smart transportation, and a water science station. Taishan didn't want to leave.

Is there any child who would refuse water? The water science station is undoubtedly kids' paradise. Before entering, staff help children put on waterproof smocks—a ritualistic gesture that thrills them. A trendy bubble machine, jumping springs, gentle streams, and water circuit modifications let kids 'interact' with science through play!

In the transportation area, there's a real helicopter, fire truck, agricultural machinery (excavator, bulldozer, harvester, etc.), and heat-sensitive traffic signal technology. Via special stairs, children can climb into the driver's cab to understand the operating principles and purpose of functional vehicles. I've lived over thirty years and barely experienced these myself.

Especially the 'Mysteries of the Human Body' exhibition hall. Here, telling children where they come from is not awkward at all. Scientific popularization of human biology for little ones means no more tales about being picked from a trash can, like our parents told us.

The magical light and shadow zone uses exhibits like a mirror maze, a bottomless abyss, a tilting house, and kaleidoscopes to introduce children to light refraction and reflection, persistence of vision, and the three primary colors.

A robot that solves a Rubik's cube in 30 seconds—here, we can only marvel at the wonders of technology. I once bought an eight-piece mini cube and struggled desperately... IQ crushed on the ground, right?

From time to time, NPCs come out to charm the kids, who rush over and surround them—they really know how to win children's hearts.

The acoustics area has exhibits like a stringless harp, Chladni patterns, and 'keen ears'—all sound-related. The immersive experience makes you fall in love with science.

Bernoulli's principle, Newton's first law, a Newton's cradle, and wind power generation—what we learned in middle school physics is all on display in the mechanics zone, and the setups let you play and learn.

There are also some modern installations in the science discovery hall; with their appearance and lighting effects, they feel like a leap to the year 2050. Every device is interactive, and even we parents were amazed.

Archimedes once said, 'Give me a fulcrum and a lever long enough, and I shall move the Earth.' This installation is a simulation where children together try to move the Earth: everyone pulls a rope downward, tilting a central beam to 'move' this globe.

Although this indoor lever only lifts a model Earth, it ignites kids' curiosity and hope. Perhaps one day, one of them will truly move the Earth—so maybe the 'Wandering Earth' won't need such a strenuous flight.

In the exploration center, we can experience soilless cultivation with our children and observe the whole process of plant growth. I find the most ceremonial part is that kids can also incubate and adopt chicks. Children celebrating a birthday at the center can receive a breeding egg of their own, and after 21 days, look forward to a new life's birth.

Each area of this hall also has a variety of animals, from lizards that make you shudder to adorable creatures you can hold without fear. Kids can linger as long as they like; loving small animals is a natural outlet for children's compassion.

In the ocean hall, there are all kinds of specimens: little stingrays, conches, crabs, and more. Each is preserved in a large glass jar filled with formalin, maintaining its shape for everyone to see.

The Hisense History and Culture Hall uses text, images, actual historical products, and multimedia interaction to showcase the development journey and key milestones of Hisense from 1969—when its predecessor, Qingdao No. 2 Radio Factory, was founded—to today. Through history, it reveals Hisense's corporate culture, core values, and technological evolution, while also showing the developmental history of the 'eldest son' industries of the Republic.

In the World Consumer Electronics Museum, you can find real artifacts: the world's first TV, refrigerator, air conditioner, washing machine, and even the mobile phone from Bell Labs.

Hisense collected these treasures from around the world—truly eye-opening.

The old factory sitting amid mountain breeze and sea charm, after such a major transformation, lets Hisense Science Exploration Center show us the past and perceive the future.

Before the new replaced the old, it told touching stories of Hisense people's innovative inheritance. Now, it's entrusted with a new mission: 'Ignite scientific exploration with curiosity,' becoming a distinctive scenic spot in Qingdao.

"Curiosity is human nature. The guidance and cultivation of scientific interest should start from childhood, enabling them to learn more scientific knowledge, master scientific methods, and form a large youth contingent with scientist potential." This is the expectation for education and children.

"A strong youth makes China strong." Plant the seed of curiosity in children, let it take root and sprout, and help them 'love science through one experience.' Perhaps the goal of building our country into a technologically powerful nation can be realized even sooner.

Table of Contents: 1. Old factory transformed into Science Exploration Center 2. Graded visits | covering all ages 3. ① Science Enlightenment Hall 4. ② Science Discovery Hall 5. ③ Nature Exploration Hall 6. ④⑤ World Consumer Electronics Museum + Hisense History and Culture Hall 7. See the past, perceive the future. Travel Information, Hotel Index, Strategy Index, Air Ticket Index, Website Navigation, Travel Index, Cruise Index, Corporate Travel Index, Join and Cooperate, Distribution Alliance, Friendly Links, Corporate Gift Card Purchase, Insurance Agent, Agent Cooperation, Hotel Join, Destination and Scenic Spot Cooperation, More Joining and Cooperation, About Ctrip, About Ctrip, Ctrip Hotspots, Contact Us, Recruiting Talents, User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Business License, Security Center, Ctrip Content Center, Intellectual Property, Trip.com Group Algorithm Announcement.