Embarking on a summer holiday in Beijing? Please make sure museums are on your itinerary. Beijing boasts a myriad of museums, encompassing comprehensive, historical, artistic, and heritage categories, offering a vibrant tapestry of cultural experiences. If you find yourself pondering over which museum to visit, don’t worry! We've compiled a list of 20 characteristic museums that are must-visit during your summer holiday in Beijing!
01
Beijing Xuannan Culture Museum
Nestled within the ancient Ming Dynasty temple of Changchun Temple, the Beijing Xuannan Culture Museum showcases a fundamental exhibition titled "The Sounds of Wind, Rain, and Reading: A Historical and Cultural Exhibition of Xuannan Scholars in Beijing." This exhibition delves into the multifaceted nature of Xuannan culture and the spiritual essence of Xuannan scholars, highlighting the humanistic spirit embodied by the Qing Dynasty Xuannan scholar community, who, through academic research, literary and artistic creation, and other activities, remained deeply concerned with their country, led the times, and courageously took on responsibilities.
The immersive study experience, "Bearing the Responsibility of the World: The Elegant Spirit Shines in Xuannan" (a spin-off of "Xuannan Past Scholars"), will be launched during extended hours in summer, with performances scheduled from July 13th to August 31st (every Saturday and Sunday) from 17:00 to 18:00. To participate, please follow these steps: navigate to the Beijing Xuannan Culture Museum's official WeChat account menu → select "Event Reservation" → choose "Extended Hours Special Activities."
Address: No. 9, Changchun Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
Opening Hours: 9:00-16:30 (last entry at 16:00); closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
During summer (July 13th - August 31st), the museum will be open extended hours on Saturdays and Sundays until 18:30. Reservation is required for entry during extended hours!
Extended Hours:
09:00-16:30 (clearance at 16:00)
16:30-18:30 (entry with the reserved QR code for extended hours special activities at 16:30; last entry at 18:00)
02
Beijing Longshuncheng
Jing Style Furniture Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum
The Beijing Longshuncheng Jing Style Furniture Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum is a specialized museum dedicated to the Jing style furniture intangible cultural heritage. The museum features a permanent exhibition titled "Culture of Jing Style Hardwood Furniture," comprehensively showcasing the history, achievements, and essence of the craftsmanship behind Jing style hardwood furniture. As a culmination of classical Chinese furniture, Jing style furniture incorporates the essence of craftsmanship from Guangzuo and Suzou styles, blending them with royal etiquette and aesthetic standards. The Jing style furniture is known for its meticulous selection of materials, rigorous specifications, and exquisite craftsmanship.
Address: No. 64, Yongwai Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00-12:00, 13:00-17:00 (special arrangements for holidays will be announced separately)
03
Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum
The Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum is located within the Xiannong Altar, a Ming and Qing imperial altar dedicated to the God of Agriculture. The Xiannong Altar was first built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1420), serving as the venue for emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to offer sacrifices to Xiannong, the God of Agriculture and hold the ceremony of the Emperor's personal ploughing.
The Taisui Hall, a massive single-structure building within the Xiannong Altar, showcases the museum's pride and joy on its roof: the celestial caisson from the Zhengjue Hall of Longfu Temple. The caisson is divided into six layers, with each layer's circular main frame intricately carved with cloud patterns. At the very top of the caisson lies a star map depicting 1,427 stars.
Furthermore, in April this year, the "No.1 Granary Under Heaven," also known as the Shen Cang, was opened to the public for the first time in over 200 years since its relocation.
Address: No. 21, Dongjing Road, Xicheng District, Beijing
Opening Hours:
From July 17th to August 31st, the museum will be closed on Tuesdays instead of Mondays, with extended opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays. The extended opening hours are from 9:00 to 19:00 (ticket sales and admission stop at 18:00).
For non-extended opening days, the museum is open from 9:00 to 17:00 (admission stops at 16:30).
04
The Grand Canal Museum of Beijing
The Grand Canal Museum of Beijing is situated in the northwest of the Green Heart area, Beijing's sub-center. It consists of a shared hall, an exhibition building (main building), and a leisure water street. Drawing inspiration from elements of boats, sails, and water in ancient canal scenes, the museum is designed to integrate the history and culture of ancient canals into its architecture. The basic exhibition, "Everlasting Benefits: A Historical and Cultural Exhibition of Beijing and the Grand Canal" showcases over 1,000 artifacts and artworks through eight chapters, comprehensively outlining the historical evolution of the Grand Canal and its close ties to Beijing.
From June 27th to October 10th, the exhibition "Exploring the Ancient Shu Civilization: Sanxingdui and the Jinsha ruins" is on display in Halls 1-2 on the first floor of the exhibition building of the Beijing Grand Canal Museum. This exhibition is open to the public free of charge and does not require reservations. It brings together 265 artifacts (sets) from 12 museums and cultural institutions, featuring the unique characteristics of the ancient Shu civilization, leading visitors on a journey to gradually uncover the mysteries of this ancient civilization.
Address: Building 5, No. 1 Yard, Lyuxin Road, Tongzhou District, Beijing
Opening Hours: 10:00-20:00, admission stops at 19:00.
Closed Mondays (except for national holidays)
05
Beijing Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site Museum
The Beijing Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site Museum is a national first-class museum. The current museum was first established in July 2011 and opened to the public on May 18, 2014. Its rugged architectural style is inspired by the stonework, an important cultural element of the Zhoukoudian site. The museum displays over a thousand artifacts, including fossils of human, animal fossils, and cultural relics, across four exhibition halls. It employs a combination of "physical displays and interactive experiences, artifact exhibitions and scene reconstructions, traditional displays and digital technology" to systematically introduce the discovery, excavation, research, and protection of the Zhoukoudian site.
Address: No. 1, Zhoukoudian Street, Fangshan District, Beijing
Summer Opening Hours (July 17th - September 1st):
Open daily from Monday to Sunday
Sunday to Friday: 9:00 - 17:00 (last ticket at 16:30, closes at 17:00)
Saturday: 9:00 - 18:30 (last ticket at 18:00, closes at 18:30)
Site Opening Hours:
9:00 - 16:30 (April 1st - October 10th, last ticket at 16:00, closes at 16:30)
9:00 - 16:00 (October 11th - March 31st of the following year, last ticket at 15:30, site closes at 16:00)
Museum Opening Hours:
9:00 - 16:30 (April 1st - October 10th, last ticket at 16:00, closes at 16:30)
9:00 - 16:00 (October 11th - March 31st of the following year, last ticket at 15:30, closes at 16:00)
Closed on Mondays
06
Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum (BSCM)
Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum (BSCM), located on the former site of Zhenjue Temple, which was ordered by Emperor Yongle to build in the Ming Dynasty. BSCM is also known as the "Five-Pagodas Temple" due to the five pagodas on the top platform of the vajra throne within the temple. The BSCM boasts a collection of over 2,600 cultural relics, primarily stone carvings and sculptures from Beijing, including tablets, epitaphs, statues, Sutra pillars, stone carvings, and stone architectural components. Numerous stone inscriptions such as temple tablets, imperial decree tablets, tombstones, guild tablets, and epitaphs from the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty serve as vital material evidence for the study of Beijing's local history and records.
Address: No. 24, Wutasi Village, Baishi Bridge, Xizhimenwai, Haidian District, Beijing
Opening Hours:
From July 17th to August 31st, the museum will be closed on Tuesdays instead of Mondays, with extended opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
Extended Opening Hours: 9:00-19:00 (ticket sales and entry stop at 18:00). During the extended hours, only outdoor venues will be open, while the tower room and indoor exhibition halls will be closed.
Regular Hours: 9:00-17:00, entry stops at 16:30.
Reminder: From July 22nd to July 28th, the East Exhibition Hall of BSCM ("Knife Writing Turning Knives into Writing Brushes" exhibition) will undergo venue maintenance. To ensure the quality of the visit and the safety of visitors, the East Exhibition Hall will be temporarily closed during this period, while the rest of the exhibition halls and outdoor exhibition areas will remain open as usual.
07
Beijing Auto Museum
The Beijing Auto Museum, established and opened in 2011, is a national public welfare-oriented automotive theme museum in China. It showcases the century-long history of the world's automobile development from scratch, as well as the inception, development, and expansion of China's automobile industry. The exhibition presentation breaks the traditional display methods and immerses visitors in a multi-dimensional space-time that is visual, audible, touchable, interactive, and experiential through various interactive experiences.
BEIJING AUTO MUSEUM
Interactive Exhibition Opening Announcement - July
Interactive Exhibitions on the 4th Floor (Progress Pavilion)
Automobile Production Line
(Paid)
Weekdays: 10:00-12:30
Sundays:
10:00-12:30, 13:30-15:00, 15:30-16:30
Saturdays:
10:00-12:30, 13:30-15:30, 16:00-18:00
Super Race Car Driver
Adult Driving Training Camp
09:30-12:00, 13:00-14:30, 15:00-16:30
One href="https://cn.bing.com/dict/search?q=step&FORM=BDVSP6&cc=cn" step in the right position
09:30-12:00
Dancing with the Wind
(Paid)
Holidays:
12:30-14:00, 14:30-16:30
Top Gear
Weekdays:
13:00-14:30, 15:00-16:00
Holidays:
10:00-12:00, 13:00-14:30, 15:00-16:00
School Bus Safety Experience Camp
Holidays:
09:30-11:30
Interactive Exhibitions on the 3rd Floor (Future Pavilion)
Top Driver
09:30-12:00
Cars in Movies
13:30-15:00, 15:30-16:30
CarCar Wonderland
Youth Driving Training Camp
Weekdays & Sundays:
09:30-12:00, 13:00-14:30, 15:00-16:30
Saturdays: 09:30-12:00, 13:00-15:00, 15:30-18:00
Open Sesame
13:00-15:00, 15:30-16:30
This Summer, Join us for numerous interactive exhibitions at Beijing Auto Museum!
Address: No.126, South 4th Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing
Opening Hours:
From July 20th, 2024 to August 31st, 2024
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: 9:00-17:00 (Ticket sales: 9:00-16:00, entry stops at16:30)
Friday & Saturday (Extended Hours): 9:00-19:00 (Ticket sales: 9:00-18:00,entry stops at 18:30)
Closed Tuesdays
08
Xiangshan Shuangqing Villa
The Xiangshan Shuangqing Villa, located on the southern hillside of Xiangshan Park, is a courtyard built against the mountain. It was originally the ruins of Qiyun Tower in the "Songwuyunzhuang" built in the 10th year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1745). It was named "Shuangqing" (meaning "double purity") because of the two clear springs in the courtyard, with the name inscribed by Emperor Qianlong himself. At the center of the courtyard stands a hexagonal red pavilion, beside which lies a pond. In March 1949, when the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China moved into Xiangshan, Comrade Mao Zedong resided in the Shuangqing Villa and directed the famous Crossing the Yangtze River Campaign during the Liberation War from here. The Shuangqing Villa now has two exhibition rooms, an upper and a lower one. The upper exhibition room features an exhibition titled "Mao Zedong in Shuangqing," while the lower exhibition room is a display room of Mao Zedong's former residence in Shuangqing.
Address: Inside Jingyi Garden, Xiangshan Park, No. 40 Maimai Street, Haidian District, Beijing
Opening Hours: 09:00-16:30 all year round
Additionally, from now until August 31st, the eight revolutionary sites within Xiangshan Park and the Xiangshan Temple scenic area will be open normally on Mondays, canceling the usual closure. During this period, the eight revolutionary sites within the park will extend their closing time by half an hour to 17:00 on Saturdays and Sundays.
09
Beijing Art Museum
Beijing Art Museum, located within the ancient temple of Wanshou Temple, dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Beijing Art Museum was officially established in 1987 and serves as a comprehensive art museum in Beijing. The museum houses over 120,000 artifacts allocated by the Beijing Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau, encompassing various categories such as imperial court embroidery, calligraphy and painting, ceramics, jade and stone, bamboo, wood, ivory, and horns, coins, furniture, etc. These artifacts span from the primitive society to the Republic of China period, with a particular emphasis on the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Address: Wanshou Temple, West 3rd Ring North Road, Haidian District, Beijing
Opening Hours:
From July 19th to August 31st, the Beijing Art Museum will extend its opening hours. Extended opening hours are from 9:00 to 19:00 on Fridays and Saturdays，entry stops at 18:00. Meanwhile, the weekly closure day has been adjusted from Monday to Tuesday.
During the extended opening period (17:00-19:00), the central courtyard, the Tianwang Hall (the exhibition hall for "The History and Evolution of the Buddhist Temple of Wanshou"), the Drum Tower Screening Room, the social education interactive experience space, the Wanshou Post Office, the cultural and creative space, and some courtyards in the eastern section are open. The rest of exhibition halls will close at 17:00.
On non-extended opening days: 09:00-17:00 (entry stops at 16:30)
10
China National Film Museum
The China National Film Museum is currently the world's largest national museum dedicated to the film industry and serves as a landmark building commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Chinese cinema. The museum boasts 21 permanent exhibition halls, with the preface hall to exhibition hall 10 located on the second and third floors constituting the Film Art Exhibition Area, showcasing the development process of Chinese cinema and the achievements of Chinese film artists. The Film Technology Expo Area, comprising exhibition halls 11 to 20, is situated on the fourth floor of the museum, displaying film production techniques and knowledge, revealing the mysteries behind filmmaking. Additionally, the museum houses six cinemas, including a giant screen hall, capable of accommodating over 1000 spectators simultaneously.
Address: No.9 Nanying Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Opening Hours:
From July 17th to August 31st, 2024, the museum implements a staggered opening schedule during the summer vacation: the museum remains open on Mondays and closed on Tuesdays.
From July 17th to August 31st, the museum extends its opening hours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays as follows:
Extension Arrangement for the First Floor Exhibition Area: On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the museum extends its opening hours, with admission stopping at 19:00. The first-floor exhibition halls and the central circular hall remain open until 20:00. On non-extended opening days, the museum opens from 9:00 to 17:00, with admission stopping at 16:30 and the museum closing at 17:00.
Cinema Extension Arrangement: On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the cinemas extend their opening hours. For other opening days, the cinemas will remain open until the end of the last film screening of the day. Specific times can be checked through the China National Film Museum's official WeChat account for movie schedules.
11
Cloisonné Art Museum of China
The Cloisonné Art Museum of China, established by Beijing Enamel Factory in June 2012, is the first cloisonné art museum in China. It documents the over six-decade-long development journey of the factory and showcases exquisite cloisonné pieces and numerous classic works from various eras. The museum boasts over 1000 square meters of space dedicated to skill demonstrations, interactive areas, and a multimedia teaching and research room. Here, visitors can observe the entire production process of cloisonné, interact with master artisans, and even participate in the intricate processes of cloisonné filigree (twisting copper wires into intricate patterns) and enameling under the guidance of senior craftsmen.
Address: No. 10 Anlelin Road, Yongdingmenwai, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Opening Hours:
The fifth "Dreamy Cloisonné Night Cultural Experience Season" organized by Beijing Enamel Factory has kicked off. From July 15th to September 16th, the Museum will extend its opening hours to 21:00 every Saturday. Additionally, the Experience Center will offer nighttime experiential activities (18:00-21:00) during this period.
12
Guanfu Museum
The Guanfu Museum is a comprehensive museum primarily dedicated to collecting, researching, and exhibiting ancient artifacts such as ceramics, furniture, jade, lacquerware, metalware, and other historical relics. It boasts an elegant environment that highlights the affinity of traditional culture. Drawing upon its extensive collection, the museum offers permanent exhibition halls, including those for ceramics, furniture, doors and windows, crafts, and temporary exhibitions. Furthermore, the museum continuously plans and develops special exhibitions tailored to visitors' interests.
From July 6th to September 1st, 2024, the Guanfu Museum has numerous activities awaiting visitors' participation. Daily public lectures at 10:00 AM, daily "artifact flash mobs" at 2:30 PM, where mysterious artifacts are unveiled on-site, revealing the stories behind them. Additionally, on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 PM, the "Cat Party" offers a chance to observe the cat curators sitting in rows, enjoying their canned treats (weather-dependent, cancelled automatically on rainy days).
Address: No. 18 Jinnan Road, Zhangwanfen, Dashanzi, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Opening Hours:
Mondays: 9:00- 16:00 (ticket sales stop at 15:00) (If Monday is a holiday, ticket sales stop at 16:00, and the museum closes at17:00)
Tuesdays to Sundays: 9:00 - 17:00 (ticket sales stop at 16:00)
13
Beijing Olympic Museum
Beijing Olympic Museum, located to the south of the National Stadium (also known as the ‘Bird's Nest’), the Beijing Olympic Museum is a permanent thematic museum dedicated to the Olympic Games. The prelude hall primarily showcases two sections: "New China and the Olympic Movement" and "Modern Olympic Games." The main exhibition hall, themed "Fulfilling the Dreams of Two Olympics, Building a Shared Future," covers an area of 8,604 square meters and is divided into three parts: "Winter Olympic Splendor," "Summer Olympic Memories," and "City of Two Olympics." It features 1,394 exhibits alongside numerous captivating photographs and video footage. Additionally, the Beijing Olympic Museum boasts special display areas, including the "China Model" thematic exhibition, the "Double Olympic" Champions Wall, and an interactive exhibition zone.
Address: No. 1, National Stadium South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 - 17:00 (ticket checks stop at 16:00). The museum is closed every Monday, except on national holidays.
14
Juyongguan Great Wall Museum
Juyongguan Great Wall Museum, nestled within the ancient buildings of the Hucao Administrative Office at the Juyongguan Great Wall, the Juyongguan Great Wall Museum boasts six exhibition halls organized into three sections: "The Vicissitudes of the Pass City, Echoes of Drums and Horns through the Millennia," "Life and Prosperity of Juyongguan, an Enduring Epic," and "The Magnificent Pass, a Spirit That Endures Forever." Through a myriad of exhibition techniques including photographs, artifacts, documents, models, settings, immersive audiovisual experiences, and digital interactivity, the museum showcases the historical evolution, cultural continuity, and spiritual heritage of Juyongguan.
Address: 216 Provincial Road, Juyongguan Village, Nankou Town, Changping District, Beijing
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:30- 16:30
15
China Numismatic Museum
The China Numismatic Museum, a national-level museum specializing in numismatics directly under the People's Bank of China, currently offers two permanent exhibitions: "A Comprehensive History of Chinese Currency" and the thematic exhibition "Millennial Commemoration of the Birth of Paper Currency." The former, following a chronological order and relying on its extensive collection, displays over 2,000 currency artifacts, comprehensively showcasing the thousands of years of Chinese currency development history through multimedia techniques. The latter focuses on the significant invention of paper currency, showcasing over 200 precious artifacts such as Jin Dynasty banknote plates, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasty paper money, highlighting the immense role of paper currency in advancing human civilization, as it marks the millennium of its birth.
Address: No. 17 Xijiaomin Alley, Xicheng District, Beijing
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 -17:00 (closed on Mondays). Entry stops at 16:00.
16
The Museum of Chinese Gardens and Landscape Architecture
The Museum of Chinese Gardens and Landscape Architecture is China's first national-level museum dedicated to the theme of gardens. It comprises exhibition halls, indoor gardens, and outdoor exhibition areas. The exhibition halls include two basic displays: Ancient Chinese Gardens and Modern Chinese Gardens, as well as four thematic displays: World Famous Gardens, Chinese Garden Culture, Chinese Gardening Techniques, and Garden Interactive Experience. The indoor gardens showcase the essence of southern gardens, featuring three landscapes: Changyuan, Yuyin Shanfang, and Pianshi Shanfang. The outdoor exhibition area, characterized by its unique terrain, comprises three northern gardens: Taying Bieyuan, Ranxia Shanfang, and Banmu Xuanxie, creating a distinctive atmosphere of gardens within the museum and vice versa. The museum displays over 200 species of plants, more than 10 types of rocks, and houses a collection of 16 categories of artifacts, including pottery, porcelain, woodwork, and ancient books.
The Museum of Chinese Gardens and Landscape Architecture
Midsummer Night's Dream
#2024 Summer Activities at the Museum of Chinese Gardens and Landscape Architecture#
1
"Midsummer Night's Dream" - Overnight Stay in the Most Beautiful Museum
Experience an enchanting night amidst summer gardens, unfold the pages of classical Chinese gardens, and embark on a "one-day time travel" adventure!
For 15-20 primary and secondary school students per session
Each session lasts 24 hours (1 day and 1 night)
July sessions: 9th, 11th, 13th, 16th, 18th
August sessions: 6th, 8th, 10th
2
"Restoring Ancient Architecture in the Garden"
From "chopping to reveal the wood" to "one hemp andfive layers of plaster," together we dress the Xijia Pavilion in a new "coat," meeting the immortal craftsmanship.
From July 6th to August 3rd, weekends only
For volunteers aged 16-50
3
The 2nd Youth Science Popularization Presentation Contest
In the scorching summer, unleash your boundless passion and share the most beautiful gardens in your heart with a "new voice."
In July
For primary and secondary school students
4
Beijing Mobile Science and Technology Pavilion's Science Popularization Exhibition at the Museum of Chinese Gardens and Landscape Architecture
Spread your wings of imagination and engage in "zero-distance" interactions, feeling the magical allure of science.
From July to August
Open to all ages
5
"Little Green Encounters" Garden Volunteer Program
Two thematic science popularization guided tours
"Little Green Encounters" wield "great power," as we join hands to form the "most beautiful volunteer landscape," gently narrating our beloved Chinese gardens.
In August
For primary and secondary school students
6
Double Seventh Festival Theme Event
Drying books and praying for cleverness while chieftain star selecting talents. During this romantic Double Seventh Festival, encounter gardens filled with poetic beauty.
August 10th
Open to all ages
7
Garden and Landscape Architecture Culture Theme Lectures
Make friends with books, travel through ancient and modern times, and engage in a thought-provoking exchange with garden creators and visitors to jointly inherit the traditional Chinese garden culture.
From July to August, weekends only
Open to all ages
Have you ever imagined wandering in the moonlight, spending the night in a museum away from the crowds and blazing sun? Or perhaps traveling through time to dialogue with famous gardeners and listen to the whispers of plants? Experience these "zero-distance" garden adventures at the Museum of Chinese Gardens and Landscape Architecture -
Address: No. 15 Shejichang Road, Fengtai District, Beijing
Opening Hours:
9:00-17:00 (last entry at 15:30; indoor areas close at 16:30)
From today until August 31st, 2024, the Museum will be open on Mondays. (Provisional cancellation for closed Mondays）
17
China Puppet Art Theater Museum
The China Puppet Art Theater ingeniously utilizes its theater space to create a unique performance venue that integrates "theater + museum" into one. The theater and museum are interconnected via internal passageways, allowing audiences to visit the museum after the performances. The museum showcases the theater's development journey and a collection of exquisite intangible cultural heritage puppets. Visitors can closely admire precious script manuscripts, puppet design drawings, puppet costume samples, as well as exquisite puppets that have graced the stage, such as Monkey King, Little Bell, Da Lin and Xiao Lin, Red Boy, Lutung-pin, and many more. Additionally, the museum employs multimedia technology to comprehensively present the entire process of creating a puppet show.
Address: No. A1, Unit 1, Anhuaxili, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Opening Hours: 9:30-16:00
18
Beijing Confucian Temple and the Imperial College
The Temple of Confucius covers an area of 22,000 square meters and comprises three courtyards. Along the central axis, the buildings are arranged in the order of the Teacher Gate, Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, Chong Sheng Temple. Flanking both sides are 198 stone tablets inscribed with the names, hometowns, and rankings of 51,624 Jinshi (imperial scholars) from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, making them invaluable physical materials for studying China's imperial examination system. Guozijian in Beijing was the highest institution of learning and administrative body for education during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, also known as "Taixue" (the Imperial College) or "Guoxue" (National Academy). The entire complex of the Imperial College faces south, encompasses three courtyards, and occupies an area of over 27,000 square meters. Along the central axis, there are Jixian Gate (main gate), Taixue Gate (second gate), The Glazed archway, Biyong Hall, Yilun Hall, and Jingyi Hall.
Address: No. 13 Guozijian Street, Andingmennei, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Opening Hours:
From July 19th to August 31st, opening hours will be extended on Fridays and Saturdays. The museum will be closed on Tuesdays instead of Mondays. During extended opening hours, visitors can enter from 9:00 to 19:00, ticket sales and admission stop at 18:00. The extended opening applies to only the Temple of Confucius and Imperial College courtyards; indoor exhibition halls close at 17:00.
For non-extended opening days: 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30, museum closes at 17:00).
19
Beijing Red Mansions Culture and Art Museum
The Grand View Garden, built based on the classical literary masterpiece "Dream of the Red Mansions," is a typical themed landscape and has served as the filming location for hundreds of films and TV dramas, including the TV series "Dream of the Red Mansions." It has now evolved into a tourist attraction that combines the appearance of a classical garden, the cultural connotation of the Red Mansions, and the comprehensive functions of a museum. Within its 13-hectare enclosed area, over 40 pavilions, towers, temples, Buddhist nunneries, courtyards, lakes, and mountains are adorned with a profusion of flowers and famous trees, accompanied by the songs of cranes and the calls of deer, creating a serene and delightful atmosphere.
Address: Grand View Garden, Nancaiyuan Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
Opening Hours: April 1st to October 31st, 7:30—17:30 (Ticket sales and entry stop at 17:30, the garden closes at 18:00)
20
Classic Car Museum
The Classic Car Museum is the only museum in China that primarily showcases classic cars of domestic Chinese brand. It currently houses over 160 classic vehicles, including rare treasures such as Dongfeng Jinlong, Hongqi Parade Cars, various classic Hongqi models like the one-of-a-kind 10.8-meter-long Grand Hongqi, Dongfanghong, and "Shanghai" brand parade cars. This museum breaks the monopoly of Western automotive culture and authentically reveals the tortuous journey of China's automotive industry development. The vehicles collected in the Classic Car Museum have shown their elegance in numerous films and TV dramas, so if you've ever wondered what the ‘stars ‘of the silver screen look like in real life, come and have a visual feast soon！
Address: No. 19 Fengxiangyiyuan, Huairou District, Beijing
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:30-17:00
Twenty Must-visit Museums During Summer Vacation
Which one do you want to visit the most?
Partial Image Sources: Beijing Xuannan Culture Museum, Beijing Longshuncheng Jing Style Furniture Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum, Beijing Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site Museum, Guanfu Museum, China Puppet Art Theater Museum
