Discover the beauty of modern science in historic building

Li Qian / SHINE

Li Qian / SHINE

A historic building at Sinan Mansions is getting a new lease of life with diversified scientific activities amid the city’s ongoing science festival.

The three-story garden villa at 529 Fuxing Road M. was built in 1937 as a residence for Western merchants. Later, it was used as campus of a primary school, factory for teaching aids  and residences of publishers, intellectuals and performers. Now, it is part of the Sinan Open Air Museum.

Its historic charm is intertwined with the beauty of science during the city’s annual science festival. Unveiled as a one-week pop-up science venue, it is hosting a series of lectures and interactive experiences, along with displays, until next Friday.

Li Qian / SHINE

Li Qian / SHINE

Stepping in, visitors enter a room displaying rumors that have gone viral on the Internet, such as vaccines against COVID-19 have been put on shelves and  masks are reused. They can find  answers here.

Upstairs on the second floor, visitors can get a bottle of personalized scented oil after consulting a traditional Chinese medicine robot doctor. It can scan facial complexions, perform tongue diagnosis and draft basic health reports. 

Also, there are displays of how probiotics work in the intestine.

Children can play with different robots, while their parents can have a cup of coffee in the nearby coffee shop and have a class on how coffee beans are processed.

Blue aquamarine, black obsidian, orange spessartine and many other colorful stones are the highlight of the third floor. Visitors can have a close look through a microscope and get to know  the facts behind their different colors.

There are also displays of 3D printing of popular cartoon characters such as Baymax and Pikachu.

Different lectures and activities, such as DIY ukulele and coffee tasting, will be held from next Monday to Friday.

Li Qian / SHINE

Li Qian / SHINE