A vacuum freeze drying experiment of skim milk solution in a cylindrical container is conducted to investigate the multi-dimensional drying characteristics of the process during the primary drying stage. Temperature histories at several positions are measured under the same process condition that is carefully controlled. Then the measured temperature histories at different positions are combined to produce instantaneous temperature distribution fields inside the cylindrical container. Along with the temperature measurement, the mass reduction history of the skim milk solution is also measured. From the measured temperature distribution curved configurations of sublimation interfaces and 2-dimensional heat transfer is inferred. The freeze drying under the present experimental setup is simulated with a calculation program that is based on a finite volume method with a moving grid system. Good agreements between the numerical and experimental results are observed. The present experimental results and the numerical approaches can be useful information in developing the analysis tools for practical vacuum freeze drying processes.