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| 798 Art District |
Beijing 798 Art District (Chinese: 798艺术区; pinyin: 798 Yìshùqū), or Dashanzi Art District, is located at Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi, China, the northeast corner of Beijing. 798 art district gallery is a complex of 50-year-old decommissioned military factory buildings boasting a unique architectural style, located in Dashanzi, Chaoyang District of Beijing, that houses a expanding artistic community. The area is frequently called the 798 Art District or Factory 798 although technically, Factory #798 is solely one of several structures inside a complex formerly known as 718 Joint Factory. The buildings are inside alleys number 2 and 4 on Jiǔxiānqiáo Lù (酒仙桥路), south of the Dàshānziqiáo flyover (大山子桥), the 798 art district Chinese address. In recent years, it has been the main venue for the annual Beijing Queer Film Festival.
Named after the 798 factory which was built in 1950s, Mao-era factories built with East German expertise. 798 Art District extends an area of 148 acres (60 hectares), with Jiuxianqiao Road to its west, Beijing-Baotou railway to its east, Jiangtai Road to its south and Jiuxianqiao Road North to its north. Characterized by modern art, it has turn into the exhibition center of Chinese culture and art, and also the world-famous cultural and creative industries centralized area. In 2003, the 798 Art Zone was awarded as “one of the top 22 most well known landmarks throughout the world” by American Time Magazine.
Named after the 798 factory which was built in 1950s, Mao-era factories built with East German expertise. 798 Art District extends an area of 148 acres (60 hectares), with Jiuxianqiao Road to its west, Beijing-Baotou railway to its east, Jiangtai Road to its south and Jiuxianqiao Road North to its north. Characterized by modern art, it has turn into the exhibition center of Chinese culture and art, and also the world-famous cultural and creative industries centralized area. In 2003, the 798 Art Zone was awarded as “one of the top 22 most well known landmarks throughout the world” by American Time Magazine.
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| 798 Art Zone Architecture |
As the factory was designed by some German experts, it had an architecture style, which was called “Bauhaus”. Its main design ideal is making the technical and aesthetic property of new materials and new structure into effect; designing plainly and composing pictures vividly with flexibleness. Appealed by the unique architectural style and vast spaces, more and more artists and designers started to dribble in and settle their workshops in that location since 2001. They make full use of its original style and transform them into unique art exhibition centers and creation workshops.
How To Get To 798 Art District
Beijing 798 Art Zone is located at No.4, Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District (北京市朝阳区酒仙桥路4号). Visitors can take the subway or city bus to get to 798 Art District
By Subway:
Take Subway Line 14 and alight at Wangjing Nan Station. Get out from Exit B1. Then take bus 403 and get off at Dashanzi Lukou Dong Station or take a 20 minute northeast walk to the destination.
By Bus:
1. Take bus 401, 402, 405, 418, 445, 973, 988, 991 or Fast Transit Line 117 to Wangyefen Station or Dashanzi Lukou Nan Station.
By Subway:
Take Subway Line 14 and alight at Wangjing Nan Station. Get out from Exit B1. Then take bus 403 and get off at Dashanzi Lukou Dong Station or take a 20 minute northeast walk to the destination.
By Bus:
1. Take bus 401, 402, 405, 418, 445, 973, 988, 991 or Fast Transit Line 117 to Wangyefen Station or Dashanzi Lukou Nan Station.
2. Take bus 403, 593, 851 or 854 to Dashanzi Lukou Dong Station.
798 Art District Opening Hours
The opening hours for the 798 Art zone is from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. everyday. However, some galleries may open or close later.
All Shops In 798 Art District
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| 798 Art District Area Map |
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| Shop in 798 Art District |
It could be difficult to list out all the shops in 798 Art District as it is still growing but there are some recommended ones:
798 Photo Gallery
Most of the photos are developed by the owner Chen Guangjun himself. Photos exhibited here are hard to see at other places. Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm.
Ullens Center for Contemporary Art
The Ullens Center for Contemporary Art was found by the Belgian collectors Guy and Myriam Ullens, and opened in 2007. It is an independent and not-for-profit center aiming at promoting contemporary Chinese art through holding an array of exhibitions, exchange events, and public programs. Opening hours: 10am-7pm daily
798 Space
Housed in a Bauhaus-style factory building that is over 1,000-square-meters. It mainly provides venues for press conferences, fashion shows and other activities. Opening hours: 10.30am-6pm daily
Feng Ling Fashion Art Design
Feng Ling Fashion Art Design is a boutique set up by Feng Ling, an innovative fashion designer who specializes in cultural-revolutionary-style clothing and some characteristic Chinese traditional clothing, like the qipao and the Mao suit.
Chinese Contemporary
The first branch of Chinese Contemporary was opened in London Mayfair in 1996, and it always strives to promote Chinese contemporary art culture over the world. With spacious and sophisticated interior, the Beijing branch is equally artistic as the London and New York ones. Opening hours: 11am-7pm daily
Lord of Salt
This restaurant is known for its authentic Sichuan dishes. The chef comes from a little place in Sichuan Province, and his cuisine has an authentic Sichuan flavor.
AT CAFÉ
Italian coffee is featured at this café. The owner Huang Rui believes that his coffee is much better than Starbucks'. Pizza and sandwiches are also good choices.
Shenji Cai Guan (Shenji Restaurant)
Shenji Cai Guan was founded by a local who was born and raised in 798 Artss District, and is very familiar with the people and things in the district. In the restaurant you can enjoy a lot of authentic Shanghainese gourmet food, such as the signature red-braised pork belly, the fresh stir-fried pea shoots in white wine, and the chewy steamed gluten, all being incredibly tasty and savory. Opening hours: 11.30am-2pm; 6am-8pm daily.
VINCENT CAFÉ (French)
It is the best little family-style restaurant here. The French owner Vincent, who started to learn cooking and management at the age of fifteen in France, used to be the chief manager in a famous French restaurant in the city.
Long March Space
Spreading over an area of 2,500 square meters, Long March Space was founded by Lu Jie in 2002, and has continuously played an important role in promoting Chinese contemporary art. Long March Space has already hosted over 100 exhibitions and projects by established and emerging talents, allowing more people to appreciate innovative Chinese art. Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am-7pm.
Ace Café 751
Ace Café 751 grew out of the 751 train station in 798 Arts District, and the structure of the train station is mostly retained so diners can therefore feel its great and rough industrial architectural style while dining in the coffee house. Opening hours: 7pm-late night daily.
798 Photo Gallery
Most of the photos are developed by the owner Chen Guangjun himself. Photos exhibited here are hard to see at other places. Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm.
Ullens Center for Contemporary Art
The Ullens Center for Contemporary Art was found by the Belgian collectors Guy and Myriam Ullens, and opened in 2007. It is an independent and not-for-profit center aiming at promoting contemporary Chinese art through holding an array of exhibitions, exchange events, and public programs. Opening hours: 10am-7pm daily
798 Space
Housed in a Bauhaus-style factory building that is over 1,000-square-meters. It mainly provides venues for press conferences, fashion shows and other activities. Opening hours: 10.30am-6pm daily
Feng Ling Fashion Art Design
Feng Ling Fashion Art Design is a boutique set up by Feng Ling, an innovative fashion designer who specializes in cultural-revolutionary-style clothing and some characteristic Chinese traditional clothing, like the qipao and the Mao suit.
Chinese Contemporary
The first branch of Chinese Contemporary was opened in London Mayfair in 1996, and it always strives to promote Chinese contemporary art culture over the world. With spacious and sophisticated interior, the Beijing branch is equally artistic as the London and New York ones. Opening hours: 11am-7pm daily
Lord of Salt
This restaurant is known for its authentic Sichuan dishes. The chef comes from a little place in Sichuan Province, and his cuisine has an authentic Sichuan flavor.
AT CAFÉ
Italian coffee is featured at this café. The owner Huang Rui believes that his coffee is much better than Starbucks'. Pizza and sandwiches are also good choices.
Shenji Cai Guan (Shenji Restaurant)
Shenji Cai Guan was founded by a local who was born and raised in 798 Artss District, and is very familiar with the people and things in the district. In the restaurant you can enjoy a lot of authentic Shanghainese gourmet food, such as the signature red-braised pork belly, the fresh stir-fried pea shoots in white wine, and the chewy steamed gluten, all being incredibly tasty and savory. Opening hours: 11.30am-2pm; 6am-8pm daily.
VINCENT CAFÉ (French)
It is the best little family-style restaurant here. The French owner Vincent, who started to learn cooking and management at the age of fifteen in France, used to be the chief manager in a famous French restaurant in the city.
Long March Space
Spreading over an area of 2,500 square meters, Long March Space was founded by Lu Jie in 2002, and has continuously played an important role in promoting Chinese contemporary art. Long March Space has already hosted over 100 exhibitions and projects by established and emerging talents, allowing more people to appreciate innovative Chinese art. Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am-7pm.
Ace Café 751
Ace Café 751 grew out of the 751 train station in 798 Arts District, and the structure of the train station is mostly retained so diners can therefore feel its great and rough industrial architectural style while dining in the coffee house. Opening hours: 7pm-late night daily.
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| 798 Art District Restaurant |
Old Factory
As 798 Art District grew out of an industrial area, there are obviously a lot of Bauhaus-style factories left. Old Factory is a cool restaurant housed in one of these factories, and the owner tries to retain the elements of the factory by keeping the old furniture, machines, and some red bricks as decorations, making the eatery look really rough and nostalgic. Opening hours: 10am-5pm daily.
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| Sculpture in 798 Art District |
798 Art District in Beijing China is located outside the 4th ring so the chances of you happening on this district maybe quite rare. If your a person who loves art, music, movies, and dance, and all forms of culture so much that they consume whatever they find, whether or not it's any good, 798 Art District is the place for you. This area is really neat and definitely worth a visit. There are many artsy sculptures and unique items which are great for souvenirs or gifts. There are also some great museums with modern art. If you want to see something different, it’s definitely worth a visit.
A rough walking tour may take you about 40 minutes to tour around the district. Look out for the 798 Art District map for guide if you are on self tour. Remember the place is Beijing 798 Art District Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi, China.