Exhibiting a sense of adventure

Summer program allows visitors to explore the National Natural History Museum of China after hours and even sleep among the dinosaurs.

When night falls and most museums close their doors in Beijing, Ding Yiran starts her adventure at the National Natural History Museum of China, which is stuffed with beautifully preserved plants, mounted animals, fossils and lifelike animatronic dinosaurs.

It is one of the biggest thrills for the 10-year-old, and a time when her imagination can run wild, even though, unlike the 2006 blockbuster movie Night at the Museum, the exhibits don't actually come to life when the sun goes down (at least, not in a literal sense).

Having been a volunteer at the museum for about two years — as part of the museum's child docent program — from her perspective, the diverse array of exhibits has already taken on a life of their own, and Yiran knows the vivid stories behind most of them.

"I feel really happy and proud to share what I have learned with visitors," Yiran says, smiling.

Along with Yiran, a total of 12 young docents attended the launch day of the "Night at the Museum" program at the natural history museum on Aug 1, providing services to nearly 2,000 visitors.