10 Best Classic Car Museums in China

China’s automotive industry has exploded over the past decade, transforming some the country’s auto brands from relative newcomer to global giants. China’s rapid evolution is also mirrored in its growing network of classic car museums showcasing everything from the Soviet-era imports to the latest cutting-edge electric vehicles.

China has a long automotive history dating back to the Dongfeng CA71, its first car, a luxury sedan produced by First Automobile Works (FAW) in 1958. Today China has many well established global auto brands like BYD, Geely, Changan, Hongqi, Chery, GWM etc.

Here is a list of the 10 best classic car museums in China that showcase not only the automotive history and technology of China but also from all parts of the world. They are a must visit for every auto enthusiast while being in China.

Beijing Auto Museum

Started in 2011
Over 100 vehicles and thousands of other exhibits
Display area: 49,000 sq. m.

This automobile-themed museum exhibits the history of the development of the automobiles from the invention of the wheel to modern day cars. Showcasing cars from around the world, it also focuses on the expansion of China’s automobile industry.

Timing: Tuesday to Sunday, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Pricing: RNB 30 for adults, RNB 20 for students, and Free for elderly and children under 1.2 m height
Location: No. 126, South Fourth Ring Road West, Fengtai District, Beijing – China
http://automuseum.bjft.gov.cn/automuseum/

Beijing Classic Car Museum

Started in 2009
Over 160 vehicles and other exhibits
Display area: 6,500 sq. m.

The Beijing Classic Car Museum is a privately owned car museum and started by displaying the private collection of its founder, Luo Wenyou. It mainly focuses on Chinese car brands showcasing the development of automobile industry in China through objects, pictures and videos.

Timing: Tuesday to Sunday, 8.30 am to 5.00 pm
Pricing: RNB 50 for adults, RNB 25 for students, and Free for elderly and children under 1.2 m height
Location: Yangsong Town, Huairou District, Beijing – China

Shanghai Auto Museum

Started in 2007
Over 100 vehicles and other exhibits
Display area: 28,000 sq. m.

The Shanghai Auto Museum is China’s first professional automobile museum. It is divided into four sections: history, collection, automobile technology and temporary exhibitions. The exhibits showcase the different milestones in automotive development from all over the world.

Timing: Tuesday to Sunday, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
Pricing: RNB 60 for adults and Free for elderly and children under 1.2 m height
Location: No. 7565, Boyuan Road, Anting, Shanghai – China
http://www.shautomuseum.com/

Sanhe Classic Car Museum

Started in 2005
Over 200 vehicles and 6,000 exhibits
Display area: 20,000 sq. m.

The Sanhe Classic Car Museum is China’s biggest private car collection housing 200+ cars from over 70 manufacturers worldwide. Started by Huang Zongmin, it consists of a classic car exhibition hall, anecdotal hall, temporary exhibition hall, research institute, library, retro street, art gallery, theater, children center, car theme cafe, souvenir shop, etc. Its prized collection also includes the world’s first internal combustion engine “Motor Wagon”.

Timing: Tuesday to Sunday, 9.00 am to 4.00 pm
Pricing: RNB 100 for adults, RNB 50 for students, and Free for elderly and children under 1.0 m height
Location: No.2, Xinyuan South 1st Road, Hi-tech District, Chengdu, Sichuan – China
https://www.shlycmuseum.com/en/

Taishan Classic Car Museum

Started in 2016
Over 300 vehicles and other exhibits
Display area: 60,000 sq. m.

The Taishan Classic Car Museum also known as the Taishan World Classic Automobile Exhibition Hall was built by car collector Zhang Yonglong. The museum is divided into six themes: classic cars, off-road vehicles and military vehicles, domestic brands, modern high-end cars, discoveries, and automotive culture. Located in the Tianyi Lake Tourist Resort, it also offers a car race track, stunt performance area, and a 5D cinema.

Timing: Tuesday to Sunday, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm
Pricing: Tickets need to be booking sites online or on WeChat account
Location: Binhu Road, Manzhuang Town, Tai’an City, Shandong Province – China

Weifang Generation Classic Car Museum

Started in 2017
Over 300 vehicles and other exhibits
Display area: 60,000 sq. m.

This museum is also owned by car collector Zhang Yonglong. He has a collection of more than 500 classic cars which are exhibited at his two car museums and interchanged periodically.

Timing: Tuesday to Sunday, 8.00 am to 6.00 pm
Pricing: Tickets need to be booking sites online or on WeChat account
Location: East Circle Community, Zhuliu Town, Changle County, Weifang City – China

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Taiyuan Classic Car Culture Museum

Started in 2009
Over 350 vehicles and other exhibits
Display area: 6,500 sq. m.

The Taiyuan Classic Car Culture Museum was founded by Gu Haijun. It was the first classic car museum in the Shanxi province of China with the theme of “memory on wheels”. Apart from cars, it also exhibits army vehicles, commercial vehicles, tractors, a locomotive, and small planes. Many exhibits are also restored ones.

Timing: Daily, 9.00 am to 6.00 pm
Pricing: Tickets need to be booking sites online or on WeChat account
Location: 36 Zhengyang Street, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province – China

Harbin Century Automobile History Museum

Started in 2009
Over 200 vehicles and other exhibits
Display area: 17,600 sq. m.

The Harbin Century Automobile History Museum was built with a purpose to promote the history and culture of automobiles, spread the knowledge of automobile science and technology, popularize national defense education, and promote regional tourism. The museum receives over 200,000 visitors annually, making it one of the most popular museums in China. Most notable exhibits include a 1890 steam-powered vehicle, a 1945 ZIS-110B state car, and the world’s only 1966 Hongqi CA770L station wagon.

Timing: Daily, 8.30 am to 4.30 pm
Pricing: RNB 69 for adults, RNB 39 for students, and RNB 10 for seniors
Location: Baodong 4th Road, Shuangcheng District, Harbin City – China
http://www.qcbwg.cn/

Macao Grand Prix Museum

Started in 1993
Over 50 racing cars and bikes
Display area: 16,000 sq. m.

The Macao Grand Prix Museum has four floors with each dedicated to a different theme. Star attractions are the racing bikes and formula cars from past races. There is also a F3-simulator and a Grand Prix themed café.

Timing: Wednesday to Monday, 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
Pricing: RNB 80 for adults, RNB 40 for students & elderly, and Free for children under 3 years
Location: 431 R. de Luís Gonzaga Gomes, Macao – China
https://mgpm.macaotourism.gov.mo/zh-hant/

Xiamen Yuecheng Classic Car Museum

Started in 2015
Over 80 vehicles and 1,000 exhibits
Display area: 8,000 sq. m.

Xiamen Yuecheng Classic Car Museum is the first classic car museum in South China. It was founded by Chen Yue, an antique car collector from Xiamen. Apart from cars, it also showcases automotive culture, innovations, technology, and a variety of interactive car-themed games. Prized displays include the world’s first three-wheeled automobile, the first four-wheel car, and the first BMW.

Timing: Daily, 9.00 am to 6.00 pm
Pricing: Tickets need to be booking sites online or on WeChat account
Location: Huandeng North Road, Xiang’an District, Xiamen City, Fujian Province – China

Chinese Classic Car Museums : In short

The classic car museums in China offer something for everyone—whether are an auto enthusiasts or someone interested in technology, design, history or culture. These classic car museums offer a thrilling journey through the automotive history, especially of China.

Also when checking for car museums near me while being in Japan, do check out the museum websites and local travel sites for bookings, up-to-date timings, promotional ticket prices, special exhibitions, and if there are any temporary closures.

So, which classic car museum would you visit first? 🚗💨

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