Top 10 Museums in Beijing

Written by Sally Guo Updated Jul. 1, 2021

Beijing, the capital of China, is one of the most developed cities in the country, with unique resources of history, culture, and art. It boasts more than 100 museums of every shape and size, just waiting to be explored by museum-lovers. Here we select the best ten for your inspiration.

1. The Palace Museum – the Forbidden City

Address: 4 Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100009
Opening hours: 8:30–17:00 from April 1 to October 31; 8:30–17:00 from November 1 to March 31; CLOSED on Mondays (except for national holidays)
Entrance fee: CNY 60 from April 1 to October 31; CNY 40 from November 1 to March 31
Highlights: ancient palace complex, home of the last 24 Chinese emperors

Known as the Forbidden City, the Palace Museum, a must-see attraction in Beijing, is a great treasure-house of art. It showcases the architecture, royal life, etiquette, religion, and countless treasures of the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties’ palaces.

The museum has over 10 exhibition halls and galleries, plus many themed exhibits with more than 1.8 million items. Book an in-depth Forbidden City tour with us to discover the stories behind these treasures!

2. National Museum of China

Address: 16 East Chang’an Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006
Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 (CLOSED on Mondays)
Entrance fee: free. A passport is needed at the entrance.
Highlights: one of the largest museums in the world

The National Museum of China, covering an area of 200,000 square meters (49.4 acres), incorporates 48 exhibition halls and over 1 million items. It embraces both art and history, integrating collection, exhibition, research, archeology, public education, and cultural exchange.

In 2017, the National Museum of China was the world’s second-most visited museum, just after the Louvre, with a total of over 8 million visitors.

3. National Art Museum of China

Address: 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010
Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 (no entry after 16:00), closed on Mondays (except for national holidays)
Entrance fee: Free, but need your passport
Highlights: Contemporary and modern Chinese art

The National Art Museum of China is a heaven for art and culture lovers who want a glimpse of majestic historical art, from China and all over the world.

The museum’s collections include over 100,000 items, ranging from traditional to modern, and giving visitors a glimpse of China’s past and present. Exhibited artworks also include four oil paintings by the renowned Pablo Picasso and 177 pieces of German art donated in 1999 by collectors Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ludwig.

If you are lucky enough you’ll encounter some special exhibitions here.

4. China Science and Technology Museum

Address: Beichengdong Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100012
Opening hours: 9:30–17:00, closed on Mondays (except for national holidays)
Entrance fee: CNY 30
Highlights: scientific exhibits, training, and experiments

China Science and Technology Museum is the first and only comprehensive museum of science and technology at the national level in China. It hosts many interesting experiments and interactive activities both in English and Chinese.

From microscopic atoms to macroscopic universes, and from daily life to aerospace, the five major thematic exhibitions make it an ideal place for the scientific enlightenment of kids.

5. The Antiquarium of the Palace Museum

Address: on the eastern side of the Palace Museum, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006
Opening hours: 8:30–17:00 from April 1 to October 31; 8:30–17:00 from November 1 to March 31; CLOSED on Mondays (except for national holidays)
Entrance fee: CNY 10
Highlights: a treasure trove of palace life, dating back to the 10th century

The Antiquarium Museum, also called the Treasure Gallery, is an exhibition in the northeast of the Forbidden City in an area known as the Palace of Tranquil Longevity Sector (Ningshou Gong Qu).

It consists of six rooms displaying items from the imperial collection and extant accouterments from palace life, including jewels, ornaments, and hundreds of other superb treasures used by emperors and their concubines.

Please note that galleries in the western corridor rooms flanking the Hall of Imperial Supremacy (Huangji Dian), which forms part of the Treasure Gallery, have been closed for upgrading since 24 February 2018.

Do you want to know some interesting gossip about palace life? Feel free to contact us and tell us any of your special travel ideas!

6. Beijing Capital Museum

Address: 16 Fuxingmenwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100045
Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 (closed on Mondays)
Entrance fee: free
Highlights: an interesting insight into ancient life in Beijing

Beijing Capital Museum, located in the Confucius Temple, began to be built in 1953 and was formally opened in 1981. It emphasizes the ancient capital’s history and art, urban construction, and folk customs.

With 5,622 items, the museum showcases the magnificent culture and history of old Beijing through its basic exhibits, boutique displays, and temporary themed exhibitions.

7. China Aviation Museum

Address: Xiaotangshan Town, Changping District, Beijing 102211
Opening hours: 8:30–17:30, closed on Mondays (except for national holidays)
Entrance fee: free, CNY 20 for the comprehensive exhibition hall and CNY 20 for the tunnel section
Highlights: Asia’s largest aviation museum

China Aviation Museum, opened in 1989, presents a summary of Chinese aviation history. It hosts a total of 299 aircraft and more than 600 types of weapons and equipment, including missiles, radar, anti-aircraft devices, jet fighters, and more. If you are an aviation enthusiast, don’t miss this museum.

8. Beijing Museum of Natural History

Address: 126 Tianqiaonan Road, Beijing 100050
Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 (closed on Mondays)
Entrance fee: free
Highlights: ancient animal and mammal exhibits, dinosaur exhibits

Beijing Museum of Natural History, covering a floor space of 24,000 square meters, has more than 200,000 items in its collection, displaying bio-diversity and its relationship with the environment, and establishing a panorama of the emergence and development of life on Earth. It has become the most popular natural history museum in China.

The museum is divided into 8 themed exhibitions, i.e. Dinosaur Park, Plant Kingdom, Magic Africa, Boom of Invertebrates, Ancient Mammals, Ancient Reptiles, Animals – the Friends of Humans, and the Origin of Human Beings. It also hosts some short-term exhibitions.

We’d love to create a private museum tour for you and so enhance your tour!

9. China National Film Museum

Address: 9 Nanying Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100015
Opening hours: 9:00–16:30 (closed on Mondays)
Entrance fee: free
Highlights: an exposition of Chinese film

China National Film Museum is currently the largest national film museum in the world. Its 20 exhibition halls show the development history of Chinese movies for over 100 years, as well as simulating the whole process of shooting films.

The museum also has an IMAX screen cinema and five regular theaters, where you can not only see the latest movies but also relive the classical old movies, making it a must-visit location for cinema fans.

10. China Railway Museum

Address: 1 Jiuxianqiao North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 (closed on Mondays)
Entrance fee: CNY 20
Highlights: Chinese train trove

Located in the eastern suburbs of Beijing, China Railway Museum is the only dedicated railway museum in China.

It displays about 100 trains in its giant exhibition hall, from steam trains of the last century to modern Electric Multiple Units (EMUs). Together they vividly exhibit the history, current state, and prospects of the Chinese Railway Industry.

Whether to a railway fanatic or an ordinary person who knows nothing about trains, this museum offers a lot.

Whiling Away Your Days at Beijing Museums with China Travel

Are you planning to add a museum visit to your Beijing trip? Our knowledgeable travel experts can tailor-make a private tour for you and help you experience a nice change of pace, turning your museum ideas into the perfect journey. Don’t hesitate to contact us!