Promoting the theme of "Nature, Man and Science and Technology," the museum serves as a center for exhibition, education, scientific study and exchange, exhibits collection and production, and leisure and tourism. In 2001, it also served as the main venue for the APEC leaders' meeting.

Covering a total construction area of 68,000 square meters and total floor space of 96,500 square meters, the 1,755-billion-yuan museum has seven exhibition areas for the Earth's Crust, Life, Light of Wisdom, Audio-Video Paradise, Cradle of Designers, Children's Garden, and Natural Science. It also has a large 3-D screen cinema, a 360 degree circular screen cinema and a 4-D screen cinema. In addition, there are souvenir shops, multifunction halls, bank services and dining halls.

It was completed and open to the public by the end of 2001, with a capacity of receiving 3 million visitors.