Beijing, China
5 Beichen East Road, Chaoyang District
Explore working reconstructions of historical Chinese machinery in the Glory of China gallery. The historic mechanisms shown here are educational models rather than surviving ancient originals.
Collection ownership does not guarantee public display. The sections below distinguish museum-listed displays from other collection records. Check current access and exhibitions with the museum before travelling.
Specific galleries or display locations identified in the museum’s own catalogue.
Topic illustration · Chinese chain pump Educational reconstruction of historical water-lifting machinery
Glory of China · Hydraulic machinery
The museum catalogue describes a water-driven chain pump in Glory of China. This is an educational reconstruction, not a surviving ancient pump.
Museum record ↗ Checked 2026-10-29
Topic illustration · Su Song's astronomical clock tower Modern research reconstruction at 1:5 scale
Glory of China · Astronomy
The museum explicitly identifies a one-fifth-scale reconstruction. Water buckets and interacting levers produce controlled intermittent rotation; the original Song-dynasty tower does not survive.
