Beijing Cephalostachyum Museum

Hidden in Xiaoxing Hutong, west of Baoguo Temple, the Beijing Diabolo Museum is an exquisite courtyard house. As a national intangible cultural heritage site for "diabolo," it covers only about 200 square meters, yet it is brimming with the vitality and stories of this ancient art. The museum's three exhibition halls display hundreds of diabolo artifacts, ranging from replicas of toys once owned by the last emperor, Puyi, to miniature diabolos the size of buttons, and even a giant diabolo that once challenged a Guinness World Record—a truly breathtaking sight. Particularly captivating is witnessing diabolo makers demonstrate the traditional craftsmanship firsthand; the seventeen meticulous steps bring ordinary bamboo and wood to life in the hands of the artisans. Outside the courtyard, the "Diabolo Affinity" plaza serves as a living space for the transmission of this art. The tireless efforts of national-level inheritor Mr. Li Lianyuan and his volunteer team have transformed this space not only into a quiet room for displaying history but also into a vibrant classroom connecting the past and present, and bringing together enthusiasts from all over the world. Wandering through this place, you can feel the pulse of the diabolo's history spanning over six hundred years, and also experience the contemporary vitality of this ancient folk custom nurtured by the power of the people. This visit is truly worthwhile.

The Beijing Diabolo Museum is nestled in a traditional courtyard house. Though small, it encapsulates a century-old story of the diabolo. Stepping into the main exhibition hall in the north wing, one is immediately struck by the dazzling array of diabolos. Displayed quietly in showcases, these pieces range from Ming and Qing dynasty artifacts to modern masterpieces, even including a plaything once owned by the last emperor, Puyi—truly a treasure of the museum. Old photographs and historical texts on the walls silently narrate the evolution of this ancient art. Turning into the east wing, one finds an interactive space for diabolo making. Small lathes and various tools sit quietly, as if awaiting a skillful hand to awaken them once more, offering a glimpse into the warmth behind the craft. This short visit feels like a dialogue across time. This small diabolo resonates not only with childhood memories but also with a rich, inherited cultural heritage.

🏛️Explore the exhibition hall: • Comprehensive exhibition hall🏛️: As soon as you enter, you will be deeply attracted by the evolution of diabolo. From ancient production techniques to modern fancy shaking methods, each exhibit tells the story of diabolo, making people feel as if they are traveling through time and space and feeling the weight of history. • Inheritance and protection exhibition hall📜: This records the affectionate protection of diabolo culture by Guangnei Street Office. Every piece of information reveals the respect and inheritance of tradition, which is moving. • Live demonstration and interactive exhibition hall🎭: The most attractive thing is this! Not only can you witness the whole process of diabolo making with your own eyes, but you can also try it yourself and feel the fun of ingenuity. 🗣️Professional explanation, refreshing: The museum specially invited Mr. Li Lianyuan, a national-level diabolo shaking skill inheritor, to work with a volunteer team to bring you a vivid and interesting explanation. Every word they say seems to have magic, giving you a deeper understanding and perception of diabolo culture. 🛠️Handmade, extraordinary experience: In the live demonstration area, you have the opportunity to make a diabolo by yourself and experience the wonderful changes from wood to finished products. There is also a live demonstration by Mr. Zhang Guoliang, the successor of diabolo making. His superb skills are amazing.

I have been looking for this diabolo museum, but I couldn't find it after searching for a long time. Later, I found out that it was in the alley west of Baoguo Temple. It can be said that it is very inconspicuous. Last time I came back, I caught up with the internal fire training and it was not open. Today I came again and finally I can visit it. It is really small. It is a small courtyard. The south room is the office, and the other three are exhibition rooms. Only two rooms were open today. Although the exhibition hall is small, it also shows the history and craftsmanship of diabolo. The exhibits are still very interesting and worth visiting, but there is no need to come here specifically unless you are particularly interested in the craft of diabolo. My grandpa can make diabolo and shake it well. He used to live in Zaolinqian Street, so he is very familiar with this area and diabolo. I brought my children to see it today, and the children were also attracted and very interested.

The child of my friend is a diabolo inheritor. He has been learning from the master here since he was a child. He and the master jointly applied for the intangible cultural heritage. Today, he brought everyone here to take a look and showed us various diabolo techniques.