Museums

One of three locations of the Beijing Railway Museum, this one is located near Qianmen in the former Beijing Railway Station. Inside you'll find an overview of the history of China's railways (mostly in Chinese with some English descriptions), miniatures of a few of the country's glitziest railway stations, as well as a high-speed train simulator and cool gift shop.

One of the first private museums in China and features ancient furniture and antiques. Founded by the renowned collector, Ma Weidu

A comprehensive look at China's postal industry featuring a plethora of stamp from the Qing Dynasty, the beginning of the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the Cultural Revolution, the period after the Opening and Reform, and more. Additionally, the first stamp in the world Black Coin, and the first stamp in China Big Dragon are also collected in the Museum.

You know all about the Bell Tower, but have you been to the Dazhong Temple Ancient Bell Museum? While the temple is one of the city's most famous, the museum is also home to over 400 types of old bells, including those used as traditional instruments.

RMB 20, free (children under 1.4m) entrance.

This fascinating museum is home to the cemetery of Tian Yi, an influential eunuch who lived during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The museum is divided into three main sections which explain the history of the practice of castrating males to create the eunuch class, the reasons this practice flourished and was eventually outlawed, and a collection of delicate statues and stone carvings.

RMB 8 entrance.

This vintage car museum is actually a private museum with a limited but very impressive collection of rides, including from old Red Star series, to internationally distinguished vehicle brands such as Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz. While you don't see many of these beauties rolling around the streets these days, we think that Beijing's nouveau-riche, with their Peppa Pig-stickered, matte-pink Lamborghini's could learn a thing or two about style by cruising through this museum.

RMB 50, RMB 25 (children) entrance.

Cola lovers will get a real kick out of Beijing's Coca Cola Museum, which documents the American drink's rise as one of the first foreign brands welcomed back into the PRC after Deng Xiaoping's opening up initiative in 1978, and has remained firm ever since. This museum not only teaches you everything you could possibly want to know about this popular soft drink brand but also provides you with refills as you go.

Located near a group of Beijing's largest watermelon plantations, this juicy museum (which is even shaped like a watermelon) features a wide range of exhibits including paintings, statues, and videos, and will teach you more than you ever dreamed of knowing about this luscious summer fruit. RMB 20 entrance fee.

A small museum that has occasional photography exhibits from local artists as well as a library for local historical documents.