Beijing has 170 museums, second only to London in its number of museums in the world. Various museums of the capital provide a window to not only the country's profound history, culture and civilization, but also some of the little known but very interesting facts.

You will be amazed to discover the world's only Eunuch Museum at a humble location on the west end of subway Line 1, and find out there are more such unique museums, featuring watermelon, tap water, bee and even socks.

Statues in the Eunuch Culture Museum show how a castration operation was done in the past. [Photo by Brian Salter/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Eunuch Culture Museum

When China's last eunuch, Sun Yaoting, passed away in 1996 at the age of 93, a unique group of people from China's feudal dynasties finally disappeared. The Eunuch Culture Museum is the world's only eunuch museum and its primary function is to keep records of the lives of eunuchs.

Daxing Watermelon Museum

Daxing Watermelon Museum is located inside the Watermelon Research Institute and among Beijing's major watermelon plantations in Daxing. Visitor will learn about the cultivation of different types of watermelons, along with comics, statues and paintings featuring the capital's favorite summer fruit.

Beijing Police Museum

Beijing Police Museum showcases the collection of police tools and weapons from the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD) to the present. You will also see crime-scene photos of violent crimes committed in the past, old-fashioned torture devices and more.

The Red Star Erguotou Museum

The Red Star Erguotou Museum is located in a factory that's still used to produce Erguotou – a famous Beijing brand of throat-burning, strong liquor. In the museum, you will be introduced to Erguotou's brewing process and extensive history and even have the chance to sample a bit.