10 famous & best museums in Beijing

June 17, 2025

What’s so attractive about Beijing’s museums? How to go to museums and what to see? Let’s “pocket” the list of famous museums in the Chinese capital!

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Each city has its own way to tell its story. For Beijing, it is not in high-rise buildings or bustling streets, but quietly preserved through museums – where memories, culture and the breath of time are preserved. In the midst of modern life, visiting museums in the Chinese capital is like a walk through historical periods, from glorious ancient times to changing modern times.

In this article, we will explore famous Beijing museums with you. Follow now!

National Museum of China – The Largest Historical and Cultural Exhibition Space in the Country

Located on the east side of Tiananmen Square, opposite the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China is one of the key projects to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Merging two major museums – the History of China and the Chinese Revolution – it is now the most comprehensive museum of Chinese history and culture.

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After a four-year renovation and expansion, the museum officially reopened in March 2011, with a scale that has doubled, including 48 modern exhibition rooms. Visitors will find rare collections ranging from the Yuan Mou period 1.7 million years ago, to artifacts from the Chinese Revolution from the Opium War to the founding of the country in 1949.

Featured artifacts such as the Simuwu bronze tripod, the Han Dynasty gold-stitched jade garment, or ceramic works, ancient Buddha statues, calligraphy and woodwork from the Ming and Qing dynasties all have high historical and artistic value. In addition, international exhibitions, modern exhibition spaces and accompanying convenient services make this an ideal stop for all visitors who love Chinese culture and history.

Address: 16 E Chang’an St, Dongcheng, Beijing
Opening hours: 9:00 – 16:30, closed on Mondays

Best museums in Beijing: Beijing Palace Museum (Forbidden City)

The Forbidden City, also known as the Forbidden City, is not only the world’s largest palace with ancient wooden architecture preserved almost intact, but also the largest ancient art museum in China – the Beijing Palace Museum. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, this place was once the center of power of the Ming and Qing dynasties for nearly 500 years.

Imperial Palace — aka the Forbidden City interior, architectural masterpieces — Feng Li / Getty | best museums in Beijing

Forbidden City, Beijing, China | best museums in Beijing

Today, the Palace Museum holds millions of precious artifacts reflecting the life, thoughts and art of the ancient imperial court. Walking through each layer of glazed tile roof, each massive gate and endless corridor, you will feel like you have entered the real world of the imperial palace.

Each room, each treasure – from dragon robes, jade seals, calligraphy, ceramics to exquisite jewelry – tells a story of ancient Chinese emperors. Thematic exhibition areas are scientifically arranged, combined with the application of modern technology, helping you gain a deeper understanding of the history of the imperial court, court rituals and royal culture.

Address: 4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng, Beijing
Opening hours: 8:30 – 16:30, closed on Monday

China Science and Technology Museum – A Creative World for Exploration Lovers

Located in the Beijing Olympic Park, the China Science and Technology Museum is an ideal destination for those who love science and discovery. With four floors of exhibitions, it introduces modern technological achievements in fields such as aerospace, energy, information technology and the environment.

Visitors can experience a range of interactive activities, exciting experiments and high-tech films in specialised theatres such as the dome theatre, the motion theatre and the 4D theatre. The highlight is the “Science Paradise” area dedicated to children aged 3–8, which combines play and learning through exhibitions such as the Fun Farm and the Science Castle.

Adults are fascinated by “The Glory of China” – which celebrates ancient inventions such as the compass, paper and irrigation engineering. In addition, the “Challenges and Futures” area offers insight into the future of technology and global issues such as energy, genes and ocean exploration. With a combination of education and entertainment, the museum is a must-see destination for the whole family.

Address: 5 Beichen E Rd, Chaoyang, Beijing
Opening hours: 9:30 – 17:00, closed on Mondays

Geological Museum of China – Preserving the Earth’s Mysteries Through Millions of Years

Hidden deep in every stone and every fossil is the history of our planet for thousands of years. Located on Fuchengmen Road, Xicheng District, the China Geological Museum is a treasure trove displaying more than 200,000 precious geological specimens. Established in 1916, this place is not only one of the leading geological museums in Asia but also an ideal destination to explore the history of the Earth from ancient times.

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Visitors will be overwhelmed by the giant dinosaur skeleton, ancient human fossils in Zhoukoudian and the collection of rare minerals and gems such as fluorite and pyrite. The museum has four floors, each floor is a separate world. The first floor introduces geological processes with a model of the rotating Earth and vivid satellite images.

The second floor allows visitors to directly interact with minerals and admire simulated mineral mines. The third floor is where prehistoric creatures, from dinosaurs to ancient animals, are recreated. Finally, the fourth floor provides an overview of land resources and fascinating rotating exhibitions.

Address: 15 Yangrou Hu Tong, Xicheng District, Beijing
Opening hours: 9:00 – 16:30, closed on Mondays

Zhoukoudian Site Museum – Discover the Traces of Ancient Beijing People

If you have ever wondered how our ancestors lived hundreds of thousands of years ago, then the Zhoukoudian Museum in Beijing is the place to help you decode that past vividly. About 50 km southwest of the city center, the Zhoukoudian relic site is where the “Peking Man” – an ancient human species that lived about 700,000 years ago – was discovered.

On the Dragon Bone Hill, hundreds of thousands of artifacts such as stone tools and fossil bones have been excavated over the past century. The most prominent is the “Ape Man” Cave with a nearly intact skull discovered in 1929, marking a turning point in the study of human evolution. Other caves such as the New Man Cave and the Upper Man Cave also show a rich evolutionary journey.

The modern museum displays more than 1,600 artifacts, combining interactive experiences such as 4D movies and a hunting and gathering area for children. The entrance fee for each area is 30 yuan (VND 109,000), children under 1m2 get half the price. Take bus 917 or 836 to Zhoukoucun and transfer to line 38 to get to the museum.

Address: 1 Zhoukoudian, Fangshan District, Beijing
Opening hours: 09:00 – 16:30

Madame Tussauds Beijing- Meet the World’s Stars

Have you ever dreamed of standing shoulder to shoulder with your Hollywood idol, taking a photo with a sports superstar or a famous politician? Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Beijing will make that come true in a lively space in the heart of the capital. Located on bustling Qianmen Street, this is the largest branch of Madame Tussauds in Asia, offering more than 100 meticulously detailed and lifelike wax figures.

You will be able to walk on the red carpet, pose with Leonardo DiCaprio, “interact” with Kobe Bryant or sing a duet with Michael Jackson. In addition to international figures, the “Spirit of Beijing” area introduces prominent Chinese faces such as writer Lu Xun and astronaut Yang Liwei. The “Behind the Scenes” area also reveals the process of creating wax figures – from design to completion.

With a reasonable price of 150 yuan (544,000 VND) for adults, the museum is a great choice for the whole family. Just get off at Qianmen Station, walk less than 10 minutes and you can enter the world of legendary figures.

Address: 18, Pedestrian Street, Qianmen Avenue, Beijing
Opening hours: 10:00 – 21:00

Beijing Planetarium – Explore the Universe Through the Lens of Modern Science

For those who love the universe and the stars, the Beijing Planetarium is an attractive destination for you. This is where modern science combines advanced technology to help you explore the deep mysteries of the vast universe. With a history of more than half a century, the museum has two large exhibition areas, suitable for the whole family. In addition, the entrance ticket to the Planetarium is only 10 yuan (37,000 VND), which is extremely reasonable for a memorable visit.

You will admire the Foucault pendulum – a demonstration of the rotation of the Earth. The realistic rotating model area helps you understand the operation of planets and constellations. The vivid 4D movie and the solar observation area are also worth experiencing. Here, you can see astronomical phenomena such as sunspots or solar halos.

Address: 138 Xiwai Ave, Xicheng District, Beijing
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday: 9:00 – 18:00, Friday and Saturday: 9:00 – 19:00, closed on Monday

Beijing Yuxiandu Imperial Cuisine Museum – Journey to Experience Royal Cuisine

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Cuisine and culture are two factors that create a unique highlight for each land, and the Yuxiandu Royal Cuisine Museum in Beijing is a living proof of that. Besides being a museum, this place is also a place for you to deeply explore royal cuisine and the rich historical story of the ancient dynasty.

Entering the museum, you will be impressed by the modern central kitchen, with transparent glass to observe talented chefs preparing dishes. Sophisticated food models combined with hologram technology and dual screens vividly recreate the history of royal cuisine. The royal banquet area with its luxurious space helps you better understand the culinary culture of feudal dynasties.

With a ticket price of around 221 yuan (801,000 VND), the museum is a great choice for families or groups of friends who want to experience unique culinary culture. Located in Haidian District, you can also easily get there by taxi or bus.

Address: No.117 North West Fourth Ring Road, Haidian District, Beijing
Opening hours: 10:00 – 14:00 and 17:00 – 21:00

National Art Museum of China

As art becomes a bridge between the past and the present, the National Art Museum of Beijing opens up a colorful and emotional world for the soul that loves beauty. Covering an area of nearly 8,300 square meters, the museum displays more than 100,000 diverse works of art, from oil paintings, traditional ink paintings to sculptures, photography and calligraphy.

In particular, the collection of paintings by famous artists such as Qi Baishi, Ren Bonian or Xu Beihong brings many in-depth experiences of modern and contemporary Chinese art. In addition to domestic works, the museum also introduces many foreign works of art, including Picasso’s paintings, helping to broaden the vision of global art.

You can easily get here by subway (Dongsi stop, line 5 or 6) or multi-route bus. Admission is free, but you need to show your ID to get a ticket.

Address: 1 Wusidajie, Dongcheng, Beijing
Opening hours: 9:00 – 17:00, closed on Mondays

China Ethnic Museum – Immerse Yourself in the Diverse Identity of China’s Ethnic Groups

China Ethnic Museum, located in the Olympic Park area, is a vibrant space that helps visitors immerse themselves in the diverse cultures of China’s 56 ethnic groups. Here, you will explore traditional houses, artifacts and cultural stories typical of each ethnic group. You can get to the museum by subway (line 8 or 10, Beitucheng or National Olympic Sports Center stop). Admission is around 45-60 yuan (163,000 – 217,000 VND) depending on the season.

Exhibition areas such as the Han ethnic cave house, the Mosuo ethnic wooden house or the Tu ethnic stilt house provide a true look at their lives and customs. In addition, the park also organizes many vibrant cultural activities such as traditional dances, ethnic festivals and unique culinary experiences.

Walking under the shade of trees, listening to the sound of the stream and enjoying ethnic dances, you will feel the richness and diversity of Chinese culture in a relaxing, intimate space.

Address: 1 Minzuyuan Rd, Chaoyang, Beijing
Opening hours: 8:30 – 18:00

Frequently Asked Questions About Museums in Beijing

Which Beijing museums have special exhibitions?

The National Art Museum of China often organizes many special exhibitions, both domestic and international, with valuable and rich works.

Should I buy tickets before going to the Beijing Museum?

Visitors should buy tickets before going to the Beijing Museum to avoid long queues and to be able to choose a suitable visiting time.

Where to buy tickets to visit museums in Beijing at a good price?

Visitors can buy tickets to visit museums in Beijing directly at the ticket counter or through official websites and reputable travel apps such as Klook to get a good price.

When should I visit the museum to avoid crowds?

You should visit the museum in the morning on weekdays and avoid holidays or weekends to avoid crowds.

Are there any museums in Beijing suitable for children?

The Planetarium, the China Geological Museum and the Beijing Museum of Ethnic Culture are museums suitable for children because they have many interactive activities and vivid displays.

Museums in Beijing are not only places to preserve artifacts, but also gateways to the rich cultural and historical world of China. Each museum is a space with its own theme and story, helping you understand more about the people, art and traditions here. If you have the opportunity to visit Beijing, do not miss the opportunity to explore these wonderful spaces.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Beijing you can refer to

Yiheyuan, a masterpiece of Chinese classical forest garden design.

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