Qianding Old Liquor Museum

Some historical gems are so well-hidden that you may have to sweet-talk your way into them. The Qianding liquor museum is one such treasure. The two-story tribute to 5,000 years of Chinese brewing and distilling is well worth a visit if you’re willing to hike around Guowang Hutong behind the Bell Tower looking lost enough for a local delivery guy to take pity on you and lead the way.

You’ll know you’ve arrived when you come across a building with massive brown distilling jars embedded in its walls, though you may have to barge your way into the neighboring house to find someone who’ll let you in. A warmer welcome awaits inside, however, where you’ll be treated to a complimentary shot of a fiery spirit as portraits of various ancient boozers stare blearily down at you.

With over 1,069 types of wine, Qianding Old Liquor Museum displays an impressive array of vintage wines; the oldest dates from the reign of the Qing emperor Kangxi, and 200 of them are impossible to find elsewhere. Musty glass bottles and porcelain pots are arranged by provenance among other curios, such as ornate jade figurines, 50-year-old cigarette packets and antique paintings of Chairman Mao.

Owned by Party official and wine collector Luo Qiang, the museum describes itself as “a collection of relics, great exhibition and increasing propaganda work” and indeed, there’s a lot more than wine on display. Antique furniture, calligraphy sets, screens and bicycles are strewn across the space in a charmingly chaotic fashion. There are other liquor museums in Beijing, but they tend to be pristine shrines to specific brands – you’ll find none as charmingly eccentric as this one.

 Bus no. 60, 82, 90, 107, and 635 stops at Gulou station.