The future is here! Zhongguancun Haidian Science Center opened to the public on Dec 23, with an impressive turnout of over 2,000 visitors.

With an exhibition area of more than 2,000 square meters, the center is the only one in China where people can interact with multimedia technologies, creating a futuristic atmosphere previously only seen in movies.

Exhibition pavilions on the first floor feature energy saving, emission reduction and digital technology, and those on the second and third floors specialize in teenager education and smart cities.

As a free event for the public, the center's opening easily captured people's interest with popular activities including a science show, robot competition, science popularization experience, virtual reality driving and an astro-observation.

The event was a part of the center's science popularization efforts, aiming to boost children's interests in science and technology and present the glamour of this world to the public by engaging them with the technology.

Parents and children's eyes are glued to the presenters as they watch scientific experiments at the Zhongguancun Haidian Science Center. [Photo/zhsp.gov.cn]

A child goes for a test drive in a virtual reality simulator at the Zhongguancun Haidian Science Center. [Photo/zhsp.gov.cn]

Children quench their thirst for science as they operate a microscope at the Zhongguancun Haidian Science Center. [Photo/zhsp.gov.cn]

Over 2,000 visitors explore the Zhongguancun Haidian Science Center at its opening on Dec 23. [Photo/zhsp.gov.cn]