798 Art District, Beijing

Finally we made a trip last Saturday afternoon to the 798 Art District. It's so close to where we stay and it's surprising how we have never been there yet!

798 was ealier home to some of Beijing's large factores and it has now been transformed to a neighbourhood for artists. The easiest way to get there is to take a cab. Most taxi drivers are familiar with the place...You cannot miss the large 798 board at the gate. We went in and walked towards the intersection and turned left where there was a very attractive wall with some amazing graffiti...

We just wandered about peeking into any gallery that caught our eye...

We then entered a small alley and we were greeted by a huge warrior fending off a pack of wolves with his sword. This alley also had an exhibition of wierd looking caged beasts...




798 also has a number of boutiques and kitsch stores and has a lot of cool arty stuff that may tempt you into an impulse buy!
We walked into this store that had some old toys and some really cool tshirts - I managed to click a pic just before the guy told us we weren't allowed to take any pics inside the store!


The weather was pleasant and it was nice to spend a late afternoon just meandering through the galleries - a welcome change from the bustling crowds in Sanlitun.


Useful info:
798 Art District (Dashanzi) 大山子艺术区
朝阳区798艺术区

Pace Galleries of New York www.pacebeijing.com 5978 9781
Dong Books and Café 5978 9602

Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) 尤伦斯当代艺术中心(8459 9269) www.ucca.org.cn

Switch Cafe - Salads, Pizzas, Sandwiches 5978 4916