Beijing is a city of museums. You can find various kinds of museums about art, architecture, science, movie, nature etc. Visiting museums is a quick way to learn about a city. Everything about the city, its history, culture etc, is condensed to a museum. The following is a list of Top 10 Beijing museums for reference.
1. National Museum of China |
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National Museum of China (NMC) is located at the east side of Tiananmen Square and opposite with the Great Hall of the People. NMC, an integrated national museum under the Ministry of Culture of China, draws equally from both history and art and is dedicated to its collections, exhibitions, research, archeology, public education and cultural communication. Its basic functions are cultural relics and artworks collection, exhibition display, public education, history and art research, and cultural communication. >>More |
2. Capital Museum |
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The architectural design concept of the Capital Museum is “to take people and cultural heritage as the foremost and serve the society”, and underlines “the harmonious integration of past and present, history and modernism, art and nature”. With its magnificent architecture, abundant exhibitions, advanced technology and complete functions, the Capital Museum contributes to Beijing’s standing as a famous historical and cultural city, a cultural centre and an international metropolis and ranks among the first class museums both at home and abroad. >>More |
3. China Science and Technology Museum |
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China Science and Technology Museum features permanent exhibition organized in line under five themes of displays, namely “Science Paradise”, “The Glory of China”, “Explorations and Discovery”, “Sci-Tech and Life” and “Challenges and the Future”, plus many public space display zones; these are also four special-effect theaters, i.e. domed theater, giant screen theater, 4D theater and motion theater. The museum is also equipped with a popular science lecture hall, a number of popular science laboratories and workshops etc. >>More |
4. Beijing Museum of Natural History |
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Beijing Museum of Natural History was the first comprehensive museum of natural science in China. The creature development history that passed for the 3 to 4 billion years is now highly condensed in the nature museum. It houses more than 80,000 precious items, which are displayed in the Halls of Paleontology, Zoology, Botany and Mankind Evolution. Its spacious galleries contain some fine specimens of fossils including various invertebrates, mammals, early humans, reptiles, dinosaur skeletons and eggs excavated in China. >>More |
5. National Art Museum of China |
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The National Art Museum of China (NAMOC) is a national museum dedicated to the collection, research and exhibitions of modern and contemporary artistic works in China. In June 1963, Chairman Mao Zedong inscribed the Chinese-language title board of the museum, which demonstrated its position as a national art museum and the nature of its establishment. The main building features the styles of ancient Chinese attics and ethnic architecture, which is roofed with yellow glazed tiles and surrounded by corridors and pavilions. >>More |
6. Palace Museum (Forbidden City) |
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Built about 600 years ago, the Forbidden City has played an important role in Chinese history. It was the imperial palace of Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty from Emperor Yongle. There are over 8000 rooms in the palace. The palace area is divided into two parts: the Outer Court and the Inner Palace. The former is the place where the emperor received his courtiers and conducted grand ceremonies, while the latter was the living quarters for the imperial residence. The Forbidden City was the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. >>More |
7. Aviation Museum |
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China Aviation Museum is about 40 miles north of Beijing and located in the foot of fascinating Xiao Tang Hill (XiaoTangShan) in Chang Ping County. At present, the aviation museum collected more than 200 airplanes with the types exceeding 100, and weapon and equipped samples like ground-air missile, high cannon, radar, aviation bomb and aviation cameras. Among which, lots of them are the precious cultural relics of the country and world aviation treasure works. >>More |
8. Beijing Planetarium |
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The Beijing Planetarium is a National first-level natural science museum. Its main purpose is to popularize science and to hold exhibitions. It is a scientific institution for popularizing astronomical knowledge to the public and promoting the spirit of science, popularizing scientific ideas and science’s critical methodology. It is a “Palace for Science”, “to explore the mysteries of the universe and to benefit society”. >>More |
9. Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum |
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Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum is a historic site under Beijing Municipal protection. It is a theme museum that displays the history of ancient Chinese architecture. Its exhibits are divided into two parts–ancient architectures and exhibits on ancient architecture art.The first part consists of the ancient architecture complex of Xiannongtan. The second part shows in a systematic way the evolution of ancient Chinese architecture with exhibits kept in Taisui Hall and Yu Hall. >>More |
10. Military Museum of Chinese People’s Revolution |
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Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution displays restored military equipment from the history of the People’s Liberation Army, up to and including modern-day machinery.The museum’s four floors include ten halls, the largest of which is the Hall of Weapons. The Hall’s extensive holdings of antiquated weaponry showcase domestic and foreign weapons, including blades, small arms, artillery, tanks, armored personnel carriers, anti-air weaponry, jet fighters, rockets and rocket launchers, and cruise missiles. >>More |