1. Explore the mysteries of the universe - the Beijing Planetarium

The Beijing Planetarium is a national first-level natural science museum. Situated at Xizhimenwai Street in the Xicheng district of Beijing, it covers a total area of 20,000 square meters. Built in 1957, it was the first large-scale planetarium in China, as well as the only planetarium in Asia at that time.

The planetarium comprises Building A and Building B, including 4 science theaters. Building A runs the largest horizon astronomical hall in China, with advanced installations in the world. Building B has several exciting parts: Digital Space Theater, 4D Theater, 3D Theater, Exhibition Hall and two observatories.

Address: No. 138, Xizhimenwai Street, Beijing

Opening Hours: Wednesday to Friday: 9:30 - 15:30. Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 9:30 - 16:30

Tel: (8610)68352453

2. Fantastic Nature - the Beijing Museum of Natural History

The Beijing Museum of Natural History sits at the Tianqiao area on the middle axis line of southern Beijing, backed by the Temple of Heaven. Founded in 1951 as the National Central Museum of Natural History, its name was changed to the Beijing Museum of Natural History in 1962. The museum has three segments: academic research, science popularization and  specimen collection of paleontology, zoology, botany and anthropology.

Address: No. 126, South TianqiaoStreet, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Tel: (8610)67031637

3. The Forbidden City - the Palace Museum

Established in 1925, the Palace Museum was installed in the imperial palace of two consecutive dynasties - the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1911). Also known as the Forbidden City, the palace is one of the largest and foremost-protected architectural complex in the world. Situated at the heart of Beijing, it is a precious jewel on the central axis.

Address: No. 4, Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Tour guide service: (8610)85007427 (Meridian Gate), (8610)85007428 (Gate of Divine Prowess)

4. Discover the history of Beijing – the Capital Museum

Located in the Confucius Temple, the Capital Museum had its construction started in 1953 and formally opened in 1981. With magnificent architecture, abundant exhibitions and advanced technology, the Capital Museum contributes to Beijing’s standing as a famous historical and cultural city, a cultural center and an international metropolis. It also ranks among the first class museums both at home and abroad and is regarded as one of the first “State First-class Museums”.

Address: 16 Fuxingmen Outer Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

Tel: (8610) 63370491 / 63370492

5. Geological exploration - the Geological Museum of China

The Geological Museum of China, built in 1916, holds a worldwide reputation for its exquisite exhibits with more than 200,000 geological specimens covering all fields of geology. Among its Asian peers, it is ranked the No.1 geology museum scale-wise, having the most abundant exhibition contents.

Opening Time: 9:00 -16:30 (Ticket sale stops after 16:00. Closed on Monday)

Address: No. 15, Yangrou Hutong, Xisi, Xicheng District, Beijing

6. Trace the history of Chinese cinema - the China National Film Museum

The China National Film Museum is the world’s largest of its kind. Founded in 2005 in celebration of the 100 years of Chinese cinema, the China National Film Museum was designed for the display of the history of Chinese cinema, film technology exhibition, cinema culture transmission, academic exchange and research. It has 20 exhibition halls as well as temporary exhibition halls, lecture halls and multifunctional halls.

Address: No. 9, Nanying Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Tel: (8610)84355959

7. Charm of China - the National Museum of China

The National Museum of China is located at the east side of Tiananmen Square, opposite the Great Hall of the People. Run by the Ministry of Culture of China, it focuses on history and art covering the collections of cultural relics and artworks, exhibitions, archaeology, public education and cultural communication. Founded in 1912, the National Museum of China is one of the largest museums in the world with a floor space of nearly 200,000 square meters.

Opening Time:

9:00 - 17:00 (Tickets issued until 15:30, last admission at 16:00) Closed on Mondays

Address: East of Tiananmen Square, No. 16, East Changan Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

8. Explore the mysteries of science – the China Science and Technology Museum

The China Science and Technology Museum is the only comprehensive museum of science and technology at national level. Initially built on May 9th, 2006, the new venue of the museum is located in Chaoyang District, east of the residential area of the Asian Games, west to the Olympic waters, south to the Olympic Stadium, and north of the Forest Park. The Museum occupies an area of 48,000 square meters adding to the Olympic motto of “Green Olympics, Science Olympics, and Humanity’s Olympics”.

Opening Hours: 9:30-17:00, Tuesday to Sunday.

Closed on Mondays (except national holidays)

Address: No. 5, East Beichen Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

9. Charm of arts - the National Art Museum of China

A national art museum of plastic arts, the National Art Museum of China is dedicated to collection, research and exhibitions of modern and contemporary artistic works in China. The museum started to be built in 1958, and was formally open to the public in 1963. The main building, roofed with yellow glazed tiles and surrounded by corridors and pavilions, features the styles of ancient Chinese attics and traditional architecture. The building, with 17 exhibition halls in its 5 stories, covers an area of more than 18,000 square meters. The museum boasts an exhibition area of 8,300 square meters. A modern collection storeroom founded in 1995 covers an area of 4,100 square meters.

OpeningHours: 9:00 - 17:00 (No Entry after 16:00) Closed on Mondays

Address: 1 Wusi Ave, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Tel: (8610) 64001476

10. Road to great power - the Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution

Established on September 21, 1958, the Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution is the only and largest state-level military museum in China. In the past 50 years, the museum has received two million visitors on average every year. The museum collected over 340,000 cultural relics and other articles. Among them, there are 1,793 national first-grade cultural relics, over 290 heavy weapons and equipment, more than 1,600 artwork pieces and 2,754 gifts from friendly exchanges with foreign militaries.

Address: No. 9, Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing