This summer, a number of museums and cultural institutions in Beijing have brought themed exhibitions to major transportation hubs across the city. All of the exhibitions are open to the public free of charge, turning waiting time into immersive cultural experiences.

Beijingxi (Beijing West) Railway Station

Exhibition: "Zhongdu of the Jin Dynasty—The Origin of Beijing's Capital Status" Thematic Exhibition

Venue: East Subway Passage, B2, Beijingxi Railway Station

Duration: July 30, 2026 to January 29, 2027

Through text panels, images and historical artifacts, the exhibition recreates the grand layout of Zhongdu, the capital of the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234) located in modern-day Beijing, as well as scenes of everyday life in the city. Among the exhibits is a bronze seated dragon unearthed from the site of Da'an Hall in Zhongdu, believed to have been used by the Jin imperial court. When the Beijingxi Railway Station was built, its planned site was deliberately moved 100 meters eastward to protect the Lianhuachi site of Zhongdu, creating a unique setting where a modern transportation hub stands alongside a historical site dating back nearly a thousand years.

Beijingbei (Beijing North) Railway Station

Exhibition: "Beijing‑Zhangjiakou Railway: Witnessing China's Progress" Thematic Exhibition

Venue: Underground Passage, B1, Beijingbei Railway Station Area

Duration: July 17, 2026 to June 20, 2028

Exhibits include replicas of steel rails inscribed with "Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway", a scale model of the railway’s famous Y-shaped switchback section, and models of intelligent EMU trains, showcasing the railway's development over more than a century.

Beijing Railway Station

Exhibition: "From Tangible to Digital: History of China's Railway Tickets" Thematic Exhibition

Venue: Cultural Station (文化驿站), Waiting Lounge No. 8

Duration: During the 2026 summer travel rush

A large collection of historic railway tickets, along with valuable photographs and archival materials, traces the dramatic transformation of China's railway system over the past century.

Qinghe Railway Station

The exterior area of the former Qinghe Railway Station Building is now open to the public.

Location: Southeast Side of Qinghe Railway Station

Duration: Ongoing

Visitors can explore the exterior area of the 120-year-old former Qinghe Railway Station building free of charge, although the interior part remains closed for the time being.

This historic Western-style building offers a rare glimpse into the architectural heritage of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway.

Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station

Exhibitions: "Marching with the Times" Thematic Exhibition; Exhibition on the Scenery of Hinggan League, Inner Mongolia; Traditional Chinese Medicine Exhibition; "City Read" E-book Exhibition; and more

Venue: Transfer Hall, Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station Transportation Hub

Duration: During the 2026 summer travel rush

A variety of themed exhibitions are being presented on a rotating basis throughout the transportation hub. The passenger service area also features a 24-hour reading space and an interactive installation promoting waste sorting.

The "one-stop" culture and tourism service desk is open daily from 7:00 to 23:00. It provides information on local cultural and tourism resources, guidance on transportation connections and assistance in handling emergencies, as well as city maps, mobile phone charging, basic first aid services, and multilingual emergency language services.

Beijing Tongzhou Railway Station

Exhibition: "That Year, in Tongzhou—A City Walk Across a Thousand Years" Special Exhibition on Archaeological Relics

Venue: B1, Beijing Tongzhou Railway Station

Duration: During the 2026 summer travel rush

The exhibition space draws inspiration from the timber-frame structures of traditional Chinese architecture and incorporates decorative windows reminiscent of classical Chinese gardens. Most of the exhibits are everyday objects made primarily of pottery and stone, telling stories about the Grand Canal culture and archaeological excavations at the ancient Lu County site.

Beijing Daxing International Airport

Exhibition: "Beijing Central Axis—Brilliant and Glorious Cultural Heritage" Thematic Exhibition

Venue: Floating Island Area, 5F (for departures), Terminal

Duration: During the 2026 summer travel rush

Divided into three sections, the exhibition uses digital displays to showcase the history and cultural heritage of the Beijing Central Axis. Meanwhile, the Music Garden in the terminal's mixed-flow area hosts cultural performances on different themes at 14:00 every Friday throughout August.

(Source: Beijing Major Railway Station Areas Administration)