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The last passenger steam services in China came to an end in 2006, but a short taxi ride northeast of the 798 Art District is this new museum with a sizeable collection of old locomotives. Some of the cabs can be boarded. An exhibition on the history of China’s railways is promised and some of the machines will occasionally be in steam. In the meantime, the engines are a must for small boys of all ages.

Vast halls of Cold War-era hardware including lots of silvery fighter planes and tanks fill the ground floor. Upstairs has exhibitions on historic conflicts, including the Opium Wars and Boxer Rebellion. Unfortunately, there is little labeling in English. What is not mentioned is that the museum is close to the Muxidi intersection, scene of a massacre of civilians by the Chinese army during the 1989 democracy protests.

Situated on a steep mountainside, Chuandixia is a crumbling but still picturesque hamlet of courtyard houses (siheyuan), most dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties. An entry ticket allows access to the entire village, all of which can be explored in a few hours. The population consists of about 70 people spread over a handful of families. Accommodation with one of the families can be provided for those wanting an experience of rural hospitality.

During the Cultural Revolution, Confucianism was a dirty word and its temples were converted to other uses, or just abandoned. Recent years have seen a U-turn, with Confucian values being touted anew by Beijing’s leaders, but this important temple remains neglected (see Confucius Temple).

Beijing’s oldest and largest mosque dates back to the 10th century. It’s an attractive building with Islamic motifs and Arabic verses decorating its halls and assorted stelae. Astronomical observations were made from the tower-like Wangyue Lou. The courtyard is lush with greenery, making it an idyllic escape from the city’s busy streets. Visitors should dress conservatively, and non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the prayer hall.

There are currently about 250,000 Muslims in Beijing. The majority live in the Niu Jie district, which is where you find this mosque, also known as the Niu Jie Mosque. It is the city’s oldest and largest Islamic place of worship. Despite being over one thousand years old, the mosque has recently been renovated to the tune of $2.4 million and looks splendid (see Cow Street Mosque).