The main natural history museum in Beijing, near the Temple of Heaven in the south of the city. The palaeontology gallery is the highlight — a substantial dinosaur collection including several nearly complete skeletons found in Mongolia and Liaoning province, among them some of the feathered dinosaurs that have transformed understanding of bird evolution. The fish and mammal halls are more dated in presentation but cover the full range of Chinese megafauna.
Less crowded than the headline Beijing attractions and frequently good for families. The taxidermy hall, with its large mammals from the 1950s and 60s, has a pleasingly retro quality. Combine with the Temple of Heaven if you are in the south of the city; both are within walking distance.