China Tank Museum

China Tank Museum

The China Tank Museum is a patriotic education base.

The China Tank Museum is located in Yangfang Town, Changping District, northwest of Beijing. Originally named the People's Armored Forces Exhibition Hall, it was officially completed on August 1, 1990 (Army Day), renamed the Tank Museum in 1997, and opened to the public on August 1, 1998. The museum displays a variety of active and retired tanks and self-propelled artillery used by the People's Liberation Army, as well as tanks captured or received from adversaries after World War II—all exhibited as real vehicles, greatly enhancing the museum’s appeal. In addition, there are materials, photos, and commemorative artifacts related to the development history of the PLA Armored Forces, along with various tank and armored vehicle main guns and driving simulators.

On the middle floor of the museum is a Japanese Type 97 medium tank, an old model whose main gun is not aligned with the vehicle’s central axis but slightly offset to the right. This positioning was possible because the 57mm low-recoil gun produced relatively little kickback. Had a modern 105–120mm tank gun been used, its recoil force—often ten to several dozen tons—would have made such a design unfeasible. Additionally, due to the small size of the 57mm gun, it occupied less space, making the turret comparatively roomier than those of larger tanks and easier to operate, more akin to a machine gun than a traditional artillery piece.

The Tank Museum also features a very unique display: operational simulators. In Room 11 of the museum, there are multiple tank driving simulators and main gun firing simulators available for visitors to use—for a fee. These offer a highly realistic experience, attracting many participants. There is also a QSM-1 small arms shooting simulator that uses computer and laser technology to simulate the ballistics and ammunition of small arms, helping to train shooters’ skills and posture. The QSM-1 can simulate a variety of small arms, including rifles, pistols, and assault rifles—not limited to just one type of weapon—making it quite practical. While the museum’s collection may not rival that of similar museums in other countries, especially in terms of lacking tanks from Western nations, the museum continues to expand and aims to become the largest tank museum in Asia.

Transportation

Transportation routes: 1. Take bus 887 from Huilongguan Station on Metro Line 13 to Tank Museum Station.

2. Take bus 512 from Anheqiao North Station on Metro Line 4 to No. 261 Hospital, then transfer to bus 887 or Chang 20 to Tank Museum Station.

3. Take bus 919 Branch, 345, 345 Express, or 670 from Deshengmen (Jishuitan) to Shahe, then transfer to bus 887 or Chang 20 to Tank Museum Station.

Admission

18 RMB per person; half price for students; free for children under 1.2 meters.

Opening Hours

8:30 AM – 4:00 PM; closed on Mondays, open Tuesday to Sunday.

Location

Unit 61029, 61029 Troops, Wen’nanyi Road, Yangfang Town, Changping District, Beijing

Yangfang Town: Located northwest of Beijing’s urban area, at the foot of the Zhushan Mountain range, it lies over 20 kilometers from the Summer Palace and neighbors Haidian’s Zhongguancun and Shangdi Information Industry Base. The town covers an area of 40.52 square kilometers, governs 10 administrative villages, and has a permanent population of nearly 30,000. The Jingmi Canal runs through the town. Shaoyang Road, Wen’nanyi Road, Yiyang Road, and the Shahe–Sanhe Railway intersect within the town, while the Sixth Ring Expressway skirts its edge. Buses 7, 20, 911, and 914 connect the town with downtown and surrounding areas. Within the town, villages are linked by asphalt roads. Convenient transportation and beautiful natural scenery support the town’s economic and social development... More details about Yangfang Town++