Line Nine: Modern science, education and technology tour

 Introduction of the spots

What's so special about the line Here, science and technology are primary focus. Hefei, as the only pilot city for technological innovation, is brimming with many scientific mysteries awaiting people to explore. Vibrant Hefei city of the central China will certainly let you feel the charm of technology. Gathering talents with beautiful scenery with both north and south styles, Hefei, as an important scientific and educational base of China, is the only technology innovation pilot city of China. There are 59 universities such as University of Science and Technology of China and Hefei University of Technology and 275 scientific research institutions, such as Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Science. There are 300,000 scientists and engineers here. The world’s leading Tokamak nuclear fusion laboratory is also located here with two major national scientific projects. In the Science of Technology Museum of Hefei, you will have the opportunity to learn of Yang Zhenning, a Nobel Prize winner who was born in Siguxiang, Hefei.

★ University of Science and Technology of China ★

Belonging to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the university is a comprehensive national key university majoring in cutting-edge science and high technology-based, specializing in management and liberal arts. It is the only key university with three key construction projects of "211", "985" and "Knowledge Innovation Program". The total area of the university is approximately 1.35 million square meters, including construction area of 890,000 square meters, with total assets of RMB 730 million of advanced teaching and research equipments, a library collection of 1.78 million books, a completed domestic first-class campus computer network, and was the first to build a number of scientific research and public teaching test centers.

It has a National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory and Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Micro-scale. There are 33 national and provincial key scientific research institutions, six Talent Training Base of basic scientific research and the National Science center for subjects in mathematics, physics, mechanics, astronomy, biological sciences and chemistry, one National Life Science and Technical Personnel Training Base, eight national key disciplines, including 41 sub-disciplines, 19 provincial key disciplines, among which the number of key disciplines in science tops China, the coverage rate of key doctor programs in science is 100%.

At the end 2009, there are 32 academicians, five national outstanding teachers, 16 professors of the "Cheung Kong Scholars Program" of Ministry of Education, 80 finalists of "Hundred Talents Program" proposed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and 75 winners of National Outstanding Youth Fund, 16 innovative teams of all kinds. All these talents accounted for 15% of its teaching staff.

★ Hefei Meteorological Science and Technology Park ★

Located on the west side of First Ring Road in Hefei, boasting an area of 20 Mu and was completed in 1998, the main building of the park is a S-band Doppler weather radar tower which is made up by the Anhui Meteorological Science and Technology Hall, Radar Building Process Hall, Planetarium, Open-air Observation Deck, Meteorological Demo room and Ground Meteorological Observation Station.

In the Meteorological Science and Technology Hall, visitors are able to learn a variety of meteorological knowledge and history on the development of meteorological science and technology. In Radar Building Process Hall, visitors are able to gain a full understanding on the new generation of meteorological comprehensive system and be able to touch and see all sorts of weather instruments. In the planetarium, visitors are able to come face-to-face with the universe as well as read and study on the characteristics of the various planets. Also, the panoramic view of Hefei city can be enjoyed when standing on the open-air observation deck. In the Meteorological Demo room, you’re able to see how weather forecasts are being produced for TV. The Ground Meteorological Observation Station records the changes in weather changes every day. An outdoor weather observation station is specially built here for visitors wanting to learn about the instruments used by meteorologists to study the weather. By visiting the Meteorological Science and Technology Park, we’re able to gain an inside knowledge on the many aspects of meteorological sciences and technology.

★ Kexuedao (Science Island) ★

Located on the west bank of Dongpu Reservoir, it is also known as the Hefei Branch of Chinese Academy of Science, boasting an area of more than 3000 mu. The Science Island is surrounded by a green lake with flowers on the island, fresh and clean air with five scientific research building. Three elegant villas and other facilities around the lake forms “Science City”, known for its strength in science and technology. When the State Council approved the establishment in 1965 as a comprehensive research base in Hefei, the island has since built an Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences in Optics and Fine Mechanics, Plasma Physics, Institute of Intelligent Machines, Institute of Solid State Physics. In October 1978, the Hefei Branch of Chinese Academy of Science was officially established. It is the governing body of Chinese Academy of Science in Hefei and is in charge of the four research institutes in Hefei. In the past 20 years, there are a total of more than 400 scientific and technological achievements, 160 of which won national awards; Chinese Academy of Sciences, COSTIND prize, 60 produced a significant benefit to the national economy and national defense construction. There are 3,000 people in Hefei Branch, including 1720 professionals, 348 senior researchers, 300 postgraduates and doctors. "Science Island" has the equipment and first class potential. Some advanced areas of research are internationally known, such as Tuo Kama first device in Plasma Physics, an important equipment used in solving the energy problem of the future of mankind. At present, the "science island" is engaged in a series of cutting-edge scientific researches, such as "artificial sun" experiment.

★ Science and Technology Museum of Anhui province ★

Located in the High-tech Industrial Development Zone, the museum boasts an area of 10500 square meters, 15 stories high with eight entrance halls, an assembly hall, a DIY hall and five exhibition halls. The first exhibition hall is a wonderful area of magnetic and intelligent machines; the second hall is a space expo area, the third hall is a communications and information area; the fourth and fifth halls is its science and technology development area of Anhui along with the history of its area. 160 pieces (sets) exhibited is the crystallization of long-term concentrated study by technology experts. More than 10 entries such as Manned Maglev trains are unique in the domestic exhibition.

Anhui Science and Technology Museum is uniquely designed in an "A" shape, which symbolizes the process of climbing reaching the peak starting at the base. As a science education site, the museum adopts unique educational methods. In the museum, all exhibitions are made up of pieces which can be worked on, giving you the opportunity to learn and explore the various technologies on offer.

Editor: Li Jing