1. The National Museum of China in Beijing was the world's most visited museum in 2016 with nearly 7.6 million visitors, according to the Museum Index released in June by the Themed Entertainment Association and AECOM.
1. The National Museum of China in Beijing was the world's most visited museum in 2016 with nearly 7.6 million visitors, according to the Museum Index released in June by the Themed Entertainment Association and AECOM.
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2. Washington's National Air and Space Museum saw 7.5 million visitors in 2016, ranking second for visitation.
2. Washington's National Air and Space Museum saw 7.5 million visitors in 2016, ranking second for visitation.
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3. Paris' Louvre saw a nearly 15% dip in attendance from 2015, with 7.4 million visitors in 2016, making it the world's third most visited museum.
3. Paris' Louvre saw a nearly 15% dip in attendance from 2015, with 7.4 million visitors in 2016, making it the world's third most visited museum.
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4. The National Museum of Natural History in Washington ranked No. 4 among the world's museums for attendance in 2016, with 7.1 million visitors.
4. The National Museum of Natural History in Washington ranked No. 4 among the world's museums for attendance in 2016, with 7.1 million visitors.
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5. New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art drew 6.7 million visitors in 2016, earning it a No. 5 ranking.
5. New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art drew 6.7 million visitors in 2016, earning it a No. 5 ranking.
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6. The British Museum in London saw a nearly 6% drop in visitation from 2015, with 6.4 million visitors in 2016.
6. The British Museum in London saw a nearly 6% drop in visitation from 2015, with 6.4 million visitors in 2016.
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7. The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum attracted 6.3 million visitors in 2016, making it the world's No. 7 museum for visitation.
7. The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum attracted 6.3 million visitors in 2016, making it the world's No. 7 museum for visitation.
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8. The National Gallery in London saw a 6% increase in visitors in 2016, with nearly 6.3 million visitors.
8. The National Gallery in London saw a 6% increase in visitors in 2016, with nearly 6.3 million visitors.
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9. The Vatican Museums in Vatican City attracted more than 6 million visitors in 2016 for a No. 9 ranking.
9. The Vatican Museums in Vatican City attracted more than 6 million visitors in 2016 for a No. 9 ranking.
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10. The Tate Modern in London achieved a nearly 24% increase in attendance from 2015, drawing more than 5.8 million visitors for the No. 10 spot.
10. The Tate Modern in London achieved a nearly 24% increase in attendance from 2015, drawing more than 5.8 million visitors for the No. 10 spot.
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11. The American Museum of Natural History in New York held steady year over year with 5 million visitors.
11. The American Museum of Natural History in New York held steady year over year with 5 million visitors.
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12. The National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan, drew 4.7 million visitors for the No. 12 spot for attendance.
12. The National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan, drew 4.7 million visitors for the No. 12 spot for attendance.
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13. The Natural History Museum in London welcomed 4.6 million visitors in 2016, marking a nearly 13% dip in attendance from 2015.
13. The Natural History Museum in London welcomed 4.6 million visitors in 2016, marking a nearly 13% dip in attendance from 2015.
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14. The National Gallery of Art's sculpture garden is a popular spot on the National Mall in Washington. The museum welcomed about 4.3 million visitors in 2016.
14. The National Gallery of Art's sculpture garden is a popular spot on the National Mall in Washington. The museum welcomed about 4.3 million visitors in 2016.
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15. The State Hermitage Museum in St.Petersburg, Russia, was the world's No. 15 museum for visitation in 2016, with 4.1 million visitors.
15. The State Hermitage Museum in St.Petersburg, Russia, was the world's No. 15 museum for visitation in 2016, with 4.1 million visitors.
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16. The China Science Technology Museum in Beijing attracted 3.8 million visitors in 2016, marking a 14% increase from 2015.
16. The China Science Technology Museum in Beijing attracted 3.8 million visitors in 2016, marking a 14% increase from 2015.
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17. The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington drew 3.8 million visitors in 2016, a 7% dip from 2015.
17. The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington drew 3.8 million visitors in 2016, a 7% dip from 2015.
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18. The Reina Sofía in Madrid, Spain, drew about 3.6 million visitors in 2016, earning the museum the No. 18 spot for attendance.
18. The Reina Sofía in Madrid, Spain, drew about 3.6 million visitors in 2016, earning the museum the No. 18 spot for attendance.
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19. The National Museum of Korea in Seoul welcomed 3.4 million visitors in 2016, making it the world's No. 19 museum for attendance.
19. The National Museum of Korea in Seoul welcomed 3.4 million visitors in 2016, making it the world's No. 19 museum for attendance.
courtesy National Museum of Korea
20. The Centre Pompidou in Paris drew 3.3 million visitors in 2016, rounding out the top 20 most popular museums in the world.
20. The Centre Pompidou in Paris drew 3.3 million visitors in 2016, rounding out the top 20 most popular museums in the world.
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