Beijing is celebrating International Museum Day this Friday, May 18, by waiving admission to some 99 of the city's finest museums. And although the list includes such notable tourist destinations such as the Palace Museum and the Capital Museum, we'd be remiss if we weren't going to recommend some of Beijing's lesser-known sights.
READ: Renaissance Art Exhibition Opens at Beijing's Capital Museum
Among the facilities offering free admission is a wide variety of museums that represent much of the history and culture on display in the capital. So, in no particular order, here are 10 local museums you can visit for free next Friday that are worth your attention (regular admission is also listed where possible):
Get your head above the clouds with a trip to the Beijing Planetarium! A digital theater equipped with six laser projectors provide astronomical showings while a 4D theater provides a multi-dimensional film about the creation of the universe. Visitors next Friday will be treated to a free "International Museum Day event."
Wed-Fri 9.30am-3.30pm (last ticket 3pm), Sat-Sun 9.30am-4.30pm (last ticket 4pm)
138 Xizhimenwai Dajie near Beijing Zoo Station on Line 4
(010) 6835 2453, 6831 2517
bjp.org.cn
China Railway Museum
Trainspotting will be a snap at the China Railway Museum on International Museum Day when the facility will host a model train activity that will be free of charge to the public.
Tue-Fri 9am-4pm, weekends and holidays 9am-4.30pm
RMB 20; ticket sales end a half hour before close
Court 1, Jiuxianqiao Beilu, Chaoyang District
(010) 6438 1317, 6438 1517
china-rail.org
Tap into the city's history of indoor plumbing with this Dongzhimen-area museum. International Museum Day visitors will get to see the "Journey of Exploration" and a popular science lecture for free.
Wed-Sun 9am-4pm
Courtyard 6, Qingshuiyuan, Dongzhimen Waidajie, Dongcheng District
Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum
Visitors on May 18 will be treated to free admission to the museum's exhibition on the art and history of Beijing stone carving as well as another exhibit on palace engravements.
Tue-Sun 9am-4.30pm
24 Wutacun, Zhongguancun, Haidian District (east of National Library Museum on Line 4)
(010) 6217 3543).
bjstoneartmuseum.org.cn
Take a break from the hutongs and head over to the Beijing Ancient Architectural Museum to peruse the city's rich building history. On the 18th, the museum will be hosting a free old building painting activity for visitors.
Tue-Sun 9am-4pm
RMB 15, ticket sales end 20 min before close
21 Dongjing Road, Xicheng District
(010) 6317 2150
bjgjg.com
Beijing Olympic Museum
Although Beijing isn't finished with the Olympics, visitors to the Beijing Olympic Museum (located at – where else? – the Bird's Nest) can brush up on China's past exploits and witness a speech contest for free.
South Gate, B1, Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest), Olympic Green, Beichen Lu, Chaoyang Districtt
(010) 8437 2992/2993
Also featuring an oratory contest on International Museum Day is the Dazhongsi Old Bell Museum, home to one of the city's most famous temples.
Tue-Sun 9am-430pm
RMB 20
31A, North Third Ring Road, Haidian District
(010) 6317 2150
Beijing Baitasi Management Area
Catch up on China's intangible cultural heritage by taking part in a Tibetan Buddhist painting event for children, featuring the thangka.
China Customs Museum
Come see an exhibit featuring ancient bronze mirrors at this centrally-located museum in the heart of Jianguomen.
Tue-Sun 9am-4.30pm
Jianguomen Nei Boulevard, Jianguomen, Dongcheng District
customsmuseum.cn
Learn all about one of the founding fathers of the Communist Party of China by visiting the former residence of Li Dazhao, a leading intellectual of his day that also served as head librarian at Peking University Library.
Wed-Sun 9am-4pm
RMB 10
24 Wenhua Hutong, Xicheng District
(010) 6601 1512, 6601 0932)
lidazhao.org
China's enthusiasm for museums doesn't end there: the country will allocate some USD 85.5 million in funds this year to make admission to children's science museums free nationwide. Unfortunately, the policy won't apply in Beijing and Shanghai where authorities fear free admission will only exacerbate overcrowding.
Speaking of which: Have fun on Beijing museum's free admission day!
Images: StumpedMagazine.com, Qianlong.com, Sina Blog (blog.sina.com.cn), Quanjing.com, Meituan.com
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