By Russel Warriner (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-06-08 10:11

If you are familiar with Beijing at all, you probably know about Tian'anmen Square, the Great Wall, and the Forbidden City. Aside from these world famous wonders of the world, where else can you go to really learn about Chinese culture and history? Beijing has many museums that are essentially unknown to most, yet interesting and informative. These museums allow travelers to make their Beijing experience all the more eclectic and educational. Here is a list of some of the more "under-the-radar" museums existing in Beijing.

Beijing Museum of Tapwater

As you may have guessed from the title, this museum displays the history of tap water in China through pictures, architecture, and tools. The museum is divided into three sections. The first section centers on Beijing's first tap water company, the second section covers the evolution of tap water through the reform period, and the third section covers the progress made since, including a detailed analysis of Beijing's current system. This museum provides an interesting insight on how the 12 million people of Beijing receive water, and how they have done so in the past.

Address: No. 6 Courtyard (Qingshuiyuan Neighborhood), North Street outside Dongzhimen, Beijing.
Hours: 9:00-16:00, Wednesday through Sunday
Cost: 5 Yuan for adults, 2 Yuan for students
Tel: 8610-6465-0787
Bus: No. 44, 106, 117, 800
Subway: to the Dongzhimen station, north on the second ring road, 500 meters east.

China Agriculture Museum

Covering 7,600 square meters, the China Agriculture Museum is split into three separate halls. The first contains the main museum exhibitions, where China's history of Agriculture Science and Technology is displayed, along with other exhibitions about agriculture and water resources. The second and third halls are more interactive, as numerous types of wildlife are housed, including pandas, golden monkeys and spotted bears.

Cost: 8 Yuan
Hours: 9:00-16:00, closed Monday
Tel: 010-65018877-2260
Address: No. 16, Dongsanhuan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Bus: Bus Nos. 43, 113, 115, 117, 402, 405, 302

China Sports Museum

With sports being such a fundamental part of every culture, the long history of China means a long history of sports. From traditional dragon boat racing to Yao Ming, the China Sports Museum is all-encompassing. Divided into six chronological halls, the exhibits use objects as well as photographs to provide information on all types of recreational activity. There are even exhibits regarding sports arena architecture and sport psychology.

Address: No. A 3, Anding Road, Chaoyang District
Hours: 9:00-16:00
Tel: 8610-64912167
Cost: 10 Yuan, 5 Yuan for students, free for persons that are either disabled or over 70 years of age
Bus: No. 18, 108, 328, 387, 803, 850

The Bee Museum of China

For yet another taste of what China has to offer, check out the Bee Museum of China. With information about the way bees communicate, stories about "killer bees," and ways that bees are beneficial to the world, this is certainly a unique learning experience. The museum even takes things a little bit further than simply stating the facts by providing insight into how bees can be related to our own history and culture!

Address: Beijing Botanical Garden
Cost: 2 Yuan, 1 Yuan for students
Tel: 8610-82594910, 8610-82590094
Bus: Nos. 331, 904, 833, 733, 360, 318.

Beijing Folklore Museum

Although this is a relatively new museum here in Beijing, the content is far from recent. With such a long history, the folklore of Beijing has had centuries upon centuries to develop, making this an interesting place to learn a little more than you may have from your history book.

Cost: 10 Yuan
Hours: 8:30-16:30
Tel: 8610-65510151, 8610-65514148
Address: No. 141 Chaowai Street, Beijing
Bus: Nos. 101, 109, 110, 112, 750, 846, 858, 846, ending at the stop of Shenlu Street

Zhoukoudian Relics Museum (Peking Man)

We all know China has a long history, but exactly how far does it go, and what was happening back then? At the Zhoukoudian Relics Museum, answers to these questions can be found. This Museum showcases the life and times of the Peking Man and the Xindong Man, dating back 600,000 years and 100,000 years respectively. Here you can find astonishing information regarding the evolution of human beings, with hard evidence and artifacts to prove it!

Address: Zhoukoudian, Fangshan District, BeijingCost: 20 Yuan
Hours: 8:30-16:30
Tel: 8610-69301272, 8610-69301287

China Railway Museum

With over 40 trains on site, this is a wonderful museum to really feel the impact of the railroad and see firsthand the evolution of transportation technology. From the first ever steam engine to the Mao Zedong Train, this museum does a great job to cover the vast and revolutionary history of railroads in China. Aside from actual trains, the museum includes numerous exhibits explaining the progression of railroads physically and scientifically.

Address: No.1 Courtyard, Jiuxianqiao North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Cost: 20 Yuan, 10 Yuan for students and railway workers, free for retired, over 70, and disabled persons
Hours: 9:00-16:00, closed Monday
Tel: 010-64381317, 010-64381517
Bus: Bus No.403, 629, 813 to the terminal, head east.

China Currency Museum

Think about how many times currency has changed size, shape, and color in our own lifetime. Now imagine how many times this has happened since the introduction of currency as a method of trade? The China Currency Museum shows exactly what this has been like, through ancient currencies, foreign currencies, and contemporary currencies.

Address: No. 32 Chengfang Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
Cost: 20 Yuan, 10 Yuan for students
Hours: 9:00-16:00, closed on Monday
Tel: 8610-66081385
Bus: Nos. special 4, 5, 20, 44, 48, 120, 337, 808
Subway: Qianmen Station

China Printing Museum

Printing is arguably the number one most important invention in the history of the world. At the China Printing Museum, you can track the progress of this extraordinary art from wood blocks to modern technology.

Address: 25 Xinghua Beilu, Huangxun Town, Daxing County, Beijing
Cost: 20 Yuan
Hours: 8:00-16:00
Tel: 8610-60261237
Bus: No. 901, get off at Qingyuan Xili

China Red Sandalwood Museum

With its traditional architecture and exquisite furniture, the China Red Sandalwood Museum is a great place to learn about an art form that has proven to be both beautiful and practical.

Cost: 50 Yuan, 30 Yuan for students, senior citizens, and groups
Hours: 8:30-17:00, closed on Monday
Tel: 8610-85767320
Bus: Nos. 312, 728 to Gaobeidian, nos. 115, 718 to Kangjiagou, nos. 342, 382, 846, 859, 908 to Taipingzhuang
Subway: 500 meters from the Sihui station

So there you have it. Ten interesting, cheap, educational ideas for things to do in Beijing away from some of the most popular crowded sites, while still learning about China and its culture. Not to mention a range of knowledge comparable to that of a veteran Jeopardy Champion!