When it comes to the most popular tourist cities each year, Beijing is always on the list. The Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven are always packed with crowds, and walking is mostly a matter of squeezing through. Even must-visit places like the National Museum of China and the Capital Museum are hard to get tickets for.

Today, I'm recommending ten lesser-known museums that are truly unique. If you're in Beijing now or planning to visit in the future, be sure not to miss this recommended list.

China National Post And Postage Stamp Museum

In the past, when transportation was inconvenient and telephones were not widespread, the longing for loved ones could only be conveyed through letters. Although letter-writing was far less convenient than making a phone call, the ritual of affixing a stamp had a unique romantic charm of that era. Nowadays, fewer people write letters, and many children have no concept of stamps.

Despite their small size, stamps carry rich history and culture. Although they have faded from the historical stage, their value cannot be ignored. The museum consists of two main parts: stamp exhibitions and postal history exhibitions. Not only can visitors see stamps from various years, but they can also learn about the development of the Chinese postal system and the evolution of stamps, as well as the stories behind the design of each stamp.

It is worth mentioning that the museum houses many precious collections. For example, the stamps of the Qing Dynasty, such as the Large Dragon and the Coiled Dragon Stamp, are considered treasures to behold.

The Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum

This is a hidden gem in Beijing. Although lesser-known, its significance is extraordinary. It is the first thematic museum in China dedicated to collecting, researching, and displaying ancient Chinese architectural art, occupying an area of over 70,000 square meters. With its magnificent cultural relics and quaint architecture, walking through it feels like strolling through a historical scroll.

At the museum, visitors not only gain insight into the ancient imperial rituals of farming and sacrificing, but also experience the distant and mysterious ancient culture. They can also learn about the history of ancient architecture, such as the hierarchical system of ancient roof designs and the different symbolism of ridge beasts. This museum is renowned far and wide for one particular treasure: a starry sky caisson from the Ming Dynasty that has survived to this day. Truly deserving of being called a "rare national treasure," its color coordination is breathtaking, and looking up feels like being enveloped by the starry sky.

The Geological Museum of China

Beijing has two geological museums in China, one in Xicheng and the other in Fangshan. The one in Xicheng is relatively older but boasts a larger collection. The museum, with four floors, organizes its exhibits according to the context of crustal movement, minerals, gemstones, and ancient organisms, combining biology and geological processes. Visitors can learn many interesting facts, such as understanding the origin of life through ancient biological fossils, learning to identify stones, distinguishing genuine from fake crystal balls, and understanding the uses of different minerals, including medicinal applications.

Unfortunately, due to space constraints and other reasons, most exhibits in the Xicheng museum are presented in the form of pictures or miniature models. In contrast, the museum in Fangshan features real caves, which are visually stunning and impressive.

Palaeozoological Museum of China

The Palaeozoological Museum of China is not too large, with the main exhibition hall divided into three levels. Visitors can typically explore it in half a day. The museum showcases huge dinosaur skeletons, mammoths, giant deer, and many exquisite murals. There are also interactive games in the museum, such as assembling dinosaur shapes with large blocks. After visiting, visitors can also conveniently go to the adjacent Planetarium Museum.

National Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine

This museum is divided into two sections: one is the History of Medicine Department, and the other is the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Department. The TCM Department collects specimens of various Chinese medicinal herbs, totaling nearly 3,000 types. Traditional Chinese medicine, as an important branch of traditional culture, has been the subject of much controversy in recent years. However, we still have a responsibility to educate children about ancient medical culture and pass on the baton of inheritance and innovation to the next generation.

Many people have misconceptions about traditional Chinese medicine, and while the TCM Museum may not change these biases, it can provide a different perspective for everyone to objectively view it. This is also a valuable contribution.

China Railway Museum

The museum mainly features physical exhibits, showcasing the progression of China's railways from the No. 0 locomotive in 1882 to the era of high-speed trains. From steam locomotives to bullet trains, the museum vividly illustrates the development of China's railways.

Many train carriages can also be explored and touched up close, making it an ideal destination for children who love trains to visit during the holidays. Outside the exhibition hall, there is a nostalgic platform, perfect for taking photos.

The only downside is that it's a bit far from the city center, so it's advisable to leave early if you plan to visit. It can be a bit cold indoors in winter, so remember to dress warmly when visiting.

China Garden Museum

What is history?

It's me standing here, gazing at their gaze.

It's today's people unable to see the ancient moon, while the present moon once illuminated the time and space of ancient people, folding through.

It's life being short and fleeting, while civilization is immortal, passed down through countless generations.

If history is immortal, then gardens are the stained glass windows that showcase history. The Chinese Garden Museum, like a shining pearl embedded in the heart of Beijing, gleams brightly. The design style of the museum is quintessentially "Chinese," with pavilions and towers condensed from the essence of ancient gardens.

The museum is divided into indoor and outdoor sections, comprising five exhibition halls dedicated to garden history, art, culture, technology, and notable figures. Within the museum, there are collections of 16 categories of artifacts, including pottery, porcelain, woodwork, and ancient books, as well as over 200 species of plants. Visitors can not only admire various styles of garden art such as stone carving, wood carving, and brick carving but also understand the close connection between gardens and philosophy, religion, literature, and art, providing them with a unique aesthetic inspiration.

Beijing Auto Museum

The Beijing Auto Museum consists of five floors, showcasing a wide range of cars from various eras, countries, and styles. From ancient Chinese wheelbarrows, drum carts, and Nanhuiren steam cars to domestic pride such as Jiefang, Dongfeng, and Hongqi, as well as classic foreign models like the German Mercedes-Benz No. 1, American Ford Model T, and French Citroën, there is a comprehensive collection. Exploring the entire exhibition not only provides insights into the history of global automotive development and the journey of Chinese automotive craftsmanship but also offers knowledge about car structures, designs, and related topics, fulfilling people's desires for all things automotive. Additionally, the cultural and creative area features many exquisite car models and cultural memorabilia, ensuring visitors leave with something in hand.

China National Film Museum

As a devoted cinephile, I wouldn't miss the chance to visit a film museum. The China National Film Museum is the largest national-level professional film museum in the world. It houses a vast collection of precious film relics and materials, showcasing the magnificent achievements of Chinese cinema.

The museum consists of five floors and encompasses 21 exhibition halls, covering various aspects of film technology, film history, animation history, special effects films, and more. It's recommended to start the tour from the first floor to better understand the development of cinema.

The stories behind the birth of a movie, including script polishing, filming, editing, and dubbing, are often more fascinating than the movies themselves. Seeing old stills from films like "Winter Of Three Hairs," "Little Soldier Zhang Ga," and "Nezha Defeats the Dragon ," it feels like being transported back to the lively scenes of my childhood, where the entire village gathered on stools to watch movies together.

The museum also regularly hosts film screenings and lectures. Before visiting, it's a good idea to check the official website to plan accordingly and avoid missing out.

China Aviation Museum

The main museum area covers an area of 720,000 square meters. Currently, it houses a collection of 149 types and 376 aircraft, along with over 28,000 cultural relics, including 106 national-level relics. For aviation enthusiasts, this is undoubtedly a visual feast.

The museum is divided into indoor and outdoor exhibition areas. The outdoor area, covering approximately 40,000 square meters, primarily displays large aircraft and various anti-aircraft guns, allowing visitors to admire them up close. The indoor area mainly showcases aviation-related relics and materials, helping children further understand the history of the Chinese Air Force. Aviation enthusiasts should definitely not miss this museum.

Museums freeze time and encapsulate art, serving as the most straightforward embodiment of a city and country. Like an elder, they gently guide, capable of stirring seismic shifts in the soul with effortless ease. Therefore, it's worthwhile to visit museums more often. With each visit, we believe that the memories will linger for a very long time.

Translator: NIU Lihua

Reviewer: ZHANG Bo