Astronomy in 29 countries of Asia and the Middle East
| Country | Dark sky places | Public observatories | Planetariums | Attractions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armenia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Bangladesh | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| China | 3 | 8 | 68 | 4 |
| Georgia | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| India | 10 | 5 | 48 | 1 |
| Indonesia | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Iran | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Israel | 1 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
| Japan | 4 | 13 | 116 | 2 |
| Jordan | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Kazakhstan | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Kuwait | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Lebanon | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Malaysia | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Mongolia | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Myanmar | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Oman | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Pakistan | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Philippines | 11 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Qatar | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Saudi Arabia | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Singapore | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| South Korea | 1 | 2 | 61 | 1 |
| Sri Lanka | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Taiwan | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Thailand | 0 | 6 | 9 | 0 |
| United Arab Emirates | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Uzbekistan | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Vietnam | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
The 10 darkest of 36 dark sky places in Asia and the Middle East
| Place | Where | Bortle | DarkSky certified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calaguas Island | Vinzons, Philippines | 1 | |
| Hanle Dark Sky Reserve | Hanle, India | 1 | |
| Kibber and Kaza | Kaza, India | 1 | |
| Huanglong National Scenic Area | Songpan, China | 1 | Park |
| Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park | Ishigaki, Japan | 1 | Park |
| Katao | Lachung, India | 1 | |
| Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) | Neil Kendra, India | 1 | |
| Mount Pulag | Kabayan, Philippines | 2 | |
| Tinalisayan Island | San Pascual, Philippines | 2 | |
| Tawang | Tawang, India | 2 |
See dark sky places by country, with camping and what is up each season.
49 observatories in Asia and the Middle East open to the public
| Observatory | Where | What you can do | Bortle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory | Abastumani, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia | Day tours and visitor observation sessions (Moon, planets) via tour operators | - |
| Al Sadeem Observatory | Al Wathba South, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Guided observatory tours and stargazing, about 2 hours; AED 300 adult, AED 100 ages 8-17; book online | - |
| Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) | Nainital, Uttarakhand, India | Weekday afternoon visits at Manora Peak; a few night viewing sessions near moonlit periods with prior permission | - |
| Bareket Observatory | Maccabim-Re'ut, Central District, Israel | Pre-booked public evening events with telescope viewing, astrophotography nights, school programs | - |
| Beijing Ancient Observatory | Beijing, China | Museum open Tue-Sun 9 am-5 pm (last ticket 4:30); CNY 20 | - |
| Biruni Observatory | Shiraz, Fars, Iran | Public tours two to three times a week with a talk and sky viewing through an 8-inch telescope | - |
| Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory | Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang, South Korea | Open to the public during annual Space Week events; nearby Bohyunsan Observatory science museum | - |
| Bosscha Observatory | Lembang, West Java, Indonesia | Night visits with telescope viewing on scheduled dates (about Rp 50,000, online booking, sells out fast); open house events | - |
| Byurakan Observatory | Byurakan, Aragatsotn, Armenia | Grounds and historic telescopes visitable; Ambartsumian house museum; evening sky sessions by prior arrangement | - |
| Colombo University Observatory | Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka | Telescopes opened to the public for special sky events (e.g. Mars opposition) | - |
| Farid and Moussa Raphael Observatory | Zouk Mosbeh, Keserwan, Lebanon | Occasional free public observing nights (e.g., May 2025), 7:30-10:30 pm | - |
| FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope) | Pingtang County, Guizhou Province, China | Visitor center and viewing platform at nearby Pingtang Astronomy Town; ticketed, phones not allowed | - |
| Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory | Gaocheng, Henan, China | Historic monument open to visitors; ticketed | - |
| Gekko Observatory | Kannami, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan | Open 9:30 am-5 pm, closed Mondays and 4th Tuesday; adults 1200 yen incl. planetarium | - |
| Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope | Khodad (Narayangaon), Maharashtra, India | Annual open days around National Science Day (February 28); group visits on Fridays by prior arrangement | - |
| Givatayim Observatory | Givatayim, Tel Aviv District, Israel | Public lectures and observations once or twice a week; IAA lectures Thursdays | - |
| Hat Yai Observatory | Songkhla, Thailand | Open daily 9 am-8 pm, 20 baht; planetarium and telescope viewing | - |
| Hida Observatory, Kyoto University | Takayama, Gifu, Japan | Annual summer open day and booked group visits; no regular public nights | - |
| Jakarta Planetarium and Observatory | Jakarta, Indonesia | Planetarium shows with online and walk-in tickets; students free for an introductory period | - |
| Kiso Observatory | Kiso, Nagano, Japan | Exhibits and dome viewing room open daily; annual open day in August with evening observing | - |
| Kitami Observatory | Kitami, Hokkaido, Japan | Part of the city museum and planetarium complex; check museum for observing events | - |
| Kodaikanal Solar Observatory | Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India | Campus and astronomy museum open Sundays 9 am-1 pm; group visits by form 15 days ahead; Rs 50 | - |
| Kuma Kogen Astronomical Observatory | Kumakogen, Ehime, Japan | Night observing by reservation, weather permitting; daytime planetarium shows | - |
| Kwasan Observatory | Kyoto, Japan | Public open days and observing events on scheduled dates, booking required | - |
| Lulin Observatory | Xinyi Township (Mount Lulin), Nantou County, Taiwan | Limited open days; near Tataka recreation area in Yushan National Park | - |
| Maragheh Observatory | Maragheh, East Azerbaijan, Iran | Archaeological site open to visitors in daytime | - |
| National Astronomical Observatory of Japan | Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan | Mitaka campus open daily for a free self-guided historic-telescope tour; regular stargazing evenings by lottery | - |
| National Astronomical Observatory of Japan | Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan | Mitaka campus open daily 10 am-5 pm, free; solar observation weekends; regular stargazing open course | - |
| Nha Trang Observatory | Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam | Open to visitors (science museum and telescope) | - |
| Ooty Radio Telescope | Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India | Annual open day around National Science Day; group visits by permission | - |
| PAGASA Observatory | Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Telescoping sessions by request (2 weeks ahead); free shows during Astronomy and Space Weeks | - |
| Princess Sirindhorn AstroPark | Chiang Mai, Thailand | Planetarium and exhibition Tue-Sun; free NARIT Public Night every Saturday 6-10 pm, Nov-May | - |
| Purple Mountain Observatory | Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China | Historic site and science museum on Purple Mountain open to visitors; ticketed | - |
| Regional Observatory for the Public, Chachoengsao | Chachoengsao, Thailand | Exhibits and planetarium; NARIT public observing nights in the dry season | - |
| Regional Observatory for the Public, Nakhon Ratchasima | Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand | Exhibits and planetarium; NARIT public observing nights in the dry season | - |
| Regional Observatory for the Public, Songkhla | Songkhla, Thailand | Exhibits and planetarium; NARIT public observing nights in the dry season | - |
| Saji Astro Park (Saji Observatory) | Saji, Tottori City, Tottori, Japan | Public night observing sessions; lodging cottages on site | - |
| Science Centre Observatory | Singapore | Stargazing with planetarium show every Friday, 7:30-10 pm; quarterly Stargazer Experience; solar viewing dates on Facebook | - |
| Sendai Astronomical Observatory | Sendai, Miyagi, Japan | Exhibits and planetarium daily except some weekdays; public night viewing with the 1.3m telescope on set evenings | - |
| Sheshan Astronomical Observatory | Songjiang, Shanghai, China | Museum of astronomy history in the historic dome; reopened 2023 | - |
| Shosanbetsu Observatory | Shosanbetsu, Hokkaido, Japan | Open daily except Tuesdays, closed in winter; night viewing with 65cm telescope | - |
| Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory | Danyang, North Chungcheong, South Korea | Open to the public during Space Week; otherwise research site | - |
| Taosi Ancient Observatory | Xiangfen County, Shanxi Province, China | Archaeological site; reconstructed observatory visible | - |
| Thai National Observatory | Chom Thong (Doi Inthanon), Chiang Mai, Thailand | Visitor access in the cool season; public observing via NARIT Public Night events and Princess Sirindhorn AstroPark, Chiang Mai | - |
| Usuda Star Dome | Saku, Nagano, Japan | Public viewing through large telescope, 10 am-10 pm | - |
| Usuda Star Dome | Saku, Nagano, Japan | Public night viewing with 60cm reflector on open days; beginner astrophotography classes | - |
| Vainu Bappu Observatory | Kavalur, Tamil Nadu, India | Open Saturdays 2-9 pm; evening sky viewing weather permitting; Rs 50, under 12 free | - |
| Xinglong Station (NAOC) | Xinglong County, Hebei, China | Popular science tourism site; visitor tours | - |
| Xujiahui Astronomical Observatory | Shanghai, China | Museum Tue-Sun 9 am-5 pm; free with advance reservation via WeChat | - |
See every observatory, research sites included.
The 15 largest of 365 planetariums in Asia and the Middle East
| Planetarium | Where | Public shows | Dome | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nagoya City Science Museum - Brother Earth | Nagoya, Aichi, Japan | World's largest-class 35 m dome (Brother Earth) with Zeiss Universarium IX; live-narrated shows daily, tickets sell out early | 35.0 m | 350 |
| China Science and Technology Museum | Beijing, China | National science museum (Olympic Green) with giant dome theater, IMAX and 4D theaters | 30.0 m | 438 |
| Ehime Prefectural Science Museum | Niihama, Ehime, Japan | 30 m dome planetarium, one of the largest in Japan; science and natural history exhibits | 30.0 m | 300 |
| Tamarokuto Science Center | Nishitokyo, Tokyo, Japan | Science Egg dome: tonight's Tokyo sky with live commentary plus themed shows; same-day tickets | 28.0 m | 207 |
| Himeji Science Museum (Atom no Yakata) | Himeji, Hyogo, Japan | Science museum with one of Japan's largest domes (27 m); daily planetarium shows | 27.0 m | 300 |
| Miyazaki Science Center | Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan | Science museum with one of the world's largest planetarium domes (27 m); daily shows | 27.0 m | 280 |
| Zhejiang Science and Technology Museum | Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China | Provincial science museum with dome theater; online booking | 27.0 m | - |
| Ningbo Science Exploration Center | Ningbo, Zhejiang, China | Large hands-on science center (AAAA attraction) with dome theater | 26.0 m | 130 |
| Osaka Science Museum | Osaka, Osaka, Japan | Planetarium with live staff commentary; science exhibits renovated; closed Mondays | 26.0 m | 316 |
| Wenzhou Science & Technology Museum | Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China | Science museum with dome theater | 26.0 m | - |
| Fukuoka City Science Museum | Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan | 25 m dome theater with planetarium and fulldome shows; science exhibits | 25.0 m | 220 |
| Gwacheon National Science Museum | Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea | Korea's largest dome (25 m); daily planetarium shows, live star talks with optical projector; observatory nights | 25.0 m | 256 |
| Heilongjiang Science and Technology Museum | Harbin, Heilongjiang, China | Science museum with dome theater near Sun Island | 25.0 m | - |
| Sendai Astronomical Observatory | Sendai, Miyagi, Japan | Live sky commentary, children's and astronomy programs; Saturday evening hours to 9:30pm | 25.0 m | 270 |
| Taipei Astronomical Museum | Taipei, Taiwan | Cosmic Theater dome shows and live star shows daily; 3D theater, exhibits, observatory | 25.0 m | 304 |
Each country in the table above links to its full list. See planetariums in every country.
Spaceports, space museums and tours in Asia and the Middle East
Spaceports and launch viewing
- Baikonur CosmodromeBaikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz launches; access only on organized tours with Russian-issued permits; museum in Baikonur city
- Jiuquan Satellite Launch CenterEjin Banner, Inner Mongolia, China. Shenzhou crewed launches; Dongfeng Space City tourist tours booked through agencies
- Naro Space CenterGoheung, South Jeolla, South Korea. Nuri launch site; Naro Space Science Museum open to visitors; launch viewing at nearby observatories and beaches
- Satish Dhawan Space CentreSriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India. Launch View Gallery (5,000 seats) open to public by online registration for each launch
- Taiyuan Satellite Launch CenterKelan County (Xinzhou), Shanxi, China. Long March 2/4/6 launches to polar orbit; no public tours
- Tanegashima Space CenterMinamitane (Tanegashima), Kagoshima, Japan. H3 launch site; Space Science and Technology Museum, guided facility tours, public launch viewing spots
- Uchinoura Space CenterKimotsuki, Kagoshima, Japan. JAXA Epsilon launch site; free space science exhibit hall open to visitors
- Wenchang Space Launch SiteWenchang, Hainan, China. Long March 5/7/8 launches; public watch from Yaoguang Rocket Viewing Platform and Longlou beaches; aerospace tourism zone in Wenchang
- Xichang Satellite Launch CenterXichang, Sichuan, China. Long March 3 series launches; site has a visitor tour area and launches draw crowds in the valley
Launch sites close their viewing areas during operations and set their own visitor rules; check before you travel.