From snow-dusted rail yards in China's northeast to a century-old station in the subtropical south, two railway museums provide insights into the country's industrial past.
(Photo: Chinese Eastern Railway Museum)
Tucked away in Hengdaohezi Town, Heilongjiang Province, the Chinese Eastern Railway Museum occupies a nationally protected heritage site of the former Chinese Eastern Railway. The museum centers on two landmark exhibition areas—a historic church and a locomotive depot—both noted for their distinctive architecture and strong historical character. Built on the century-old Hengdaohezi Locomotive Depot, part of the Chinese Eastern Railway architectural complex, the site is the largest and best-preserved semicircular steam locomotive depot along the railway's eastern section.
(Photo: Chinese Eastern Railway Museum)
Opened to the public in 2014 and free of charge, the museum's highlight is its rare fan-shaped brick-and-wood depot, resembling 15 connected railcars. Outdoor exhibits include the roundhouse, a turntable, and steam locomotives, while indoor displays feature historic engines, carriages, models, components, and archival photographs. Set against the quiet townscape of northeast China, the museum offers visitors an atmospheric glimpse into early railway engineering and regional history.
The southern terminus of the historic Yuehan Railway (Photo: Guangzhou Railway)
Located on the original site of Huangsha Station—the southern terminus of the historic Yuehan Railway—the Guangzhou Railway Museum in south China's Guangdong Province weaves urban heritage with industrial memory. Built around the preserved century-old station, the museum features open-air displays, two indoor exhibition halls, and a dedicated special exhibition gallery.
Guangzhou Railway Museum (Photo: Guangzhou Railway)
Its collection includes more than 4,000 railway artifacts, ranging from classic steam locomotives and passenger carriages to signals, rails, and iconic railway emblems. Through a series of themed exhibitions, visitors can trace the evolution of Guangzhou's railways and discover the city's role in shaping China's modern transportation network.
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Author | Liu Lingzhi
Editor | James Campion, Shen He
