China Red Sandalwood Museum 紫檀博物馆

A wonderland for wood enthusiasts, this museum displays a tantalizing range of the pos-sibilities of Burmese ebony, tropical mahogany, Indian sandalwood and other precious timbers. Most of the 1,000 handcrafted pieces are modern creations and not antiques, but that doesn’t diminish the extravagance of Forbidden City scale models or exquisitely carved furniture. If the majestic birdcages and thrones don’t impress you, then perhaps the knowledge that everything was built without a single nail or screw will do the trick. The museum also doubles as a shrine to its founder, Madame Chen Lihua (one of the richest women in China), who pals around with Jackie Chan and Eastern European heads of state.