Are you a film enthusiast planning to visit Beijing? Or you are simply looking for a fun and inspiring indoors activity in Beijing?

China National Film Museum, Asia's largest film museum, offers an extraordinary journey through the history of Chinese cinema.

Located in the Chaoyang District, this massive cultural institution spans over 65,000 square meters, making it a must-visit destination for movie lovers and cultural explorers alike.

Practical Information

  • Opening Hours:
    • Tuesday to Friday (09:00 - 17:00)
      Saturday to Sunday (09:00 - 20:00)
      Closed on Mondays
  • Admission: Free
  • Location: 9 Nanying Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
  • Getting There: You can take a bus 116, but I highly recommend taking a taxi or DiDi - the museum is not very far but will take you over 1h to get there from city centre, as opposed to 25-30min by taxi
  • Suggested Visit Time: 1-2h

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History and Architecture

Opened in 2005, the China National Film Museum stands as a testament to China's rich cinematic heritage.

The museum's architecture seamlessly blends contemporary aesthetics with functional spaces designed to showcase China's movie-making history.

Main Exhibitions and Collections

The museum houses an impressive collection spanning over 100 years of Chinese cinema. Visitors can explore:

  • Early film equipment and cameras
  • Original movie posters and scripts
  • Interactive displays showing film production techniques
  • Historical photographs and documents
  • Costumes and props from famous Chinese films
  • IMAX cinema
  • Main round hall with display screens featuring different animations

Visiting with kids

China's museums are usually great places to visit with kids - and often feature interactive exhibitions and halls dedicated to children's experience.

China National Film Museum in Beijing has an amazing round hall surrounded by screens that display different landscapes and animations that simply mesmerises children and adults alike. You can go up the ramps and admire the animations from different angles.

There is also a section dedicated to children's movies and animations, as well as exhibition of costumes that is particularly fun for kids.