There are many different kinds of museums in the world. But have you ever visited a museum of tap water? Beijing Museum of Tap Water may be the only one in the world.
The museum has a large number of photos, models, maps and equipment which tell the water treatment history of China. Few of them are in English, so it's a bit difficult for foreign visitors to understand them.
Beijing's tap water history began in 1908. At that time Empress Dowager Cixi(慈禧太后) ordered to build water plants and city pipelines to help fight fires that happened in Beijing.
At first, people did not believe in tap water. They continued using well water(井水) which was not safe. Later, the government did everything to explain to people how safe tap water really was. Finally, more and more people started using tap water.
The museum is one of the most wonderful places in Beijing. For those who want to try something different, this place near the Dongzhimen Subway Station is a very unusual one.