Museums of Dongcheng District

China National Museum

Add: East side of Tiananmen Square

Tel: (010) 6512-8967

Open: 8:30am-4:30pm

Buses: Te1, 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20, 22, 37, 52, 54, 120, 726, 728, 802, 826, subway

The China National Museum was recently established, merging the Chinese History Museum and the China Revolutionary Museum. Renovations are ongoing and due for completion in 2008. Two of the original museums are open as normal.

Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum

Add: 11 Qianmennan Dajie, south of Tiananmen Square

Tel: (010) (010) 6513-2277

Open: 8:30-11:30am (from Tuesday to Sunday)

2-4pm (Tuesday and Thursday)

(closed Monday)

Buses: Te1*, 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20, 22, 37, 52, 54, 120, 726, 728, 802, 826, subway

Chinese leader Chairman Mao Zedong (1893-1976) is on display in a crystal case. You can buy flowers for 1 yuan and pay homage.

*Te means special

Capital Museum

Add: 13 Guozijian Jie, Dongcheng

Tel: (010) 6401-2118

Open: 8:30am-5pm

Buses: 13, 101, 102, 103, 104, 108, 121

In the tranquil surroundings of the Temple of Confucius, this museum holds 80, 000 antiques from the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties and has a temple fair at Spring Festival in memory of Confucius.

Ancient Observatory

Add: Jianguomen Subway Staition, Dongcheng

Tel: (010) 6512-8923

Open: 9am-4:30pm

Buses: 1, 4, 52, 403, subway

Built in 1442, the observatory is comprised of eight ancient astronomical devices designed by Jesuit astronomers and presented to the Imperial Court.

Guanfu Classical Art Museum

Add: Huazhi Business Plaza, Nanzhugan Hutong, Chaoneinan Xiaojie, Dongcheng

Tel: (010) 6526-3208

Open: 8:30am-5pm

Buses: 24,101, 110, 112, 119 and get off at Xiaojie

Established in 1996 by noted antique-furniture collector, Ma Weidu. The current exhibits are from the Ming and Qing dynasties, including Chinese antique furniture and other classical items.