798 Art Zone for Families and Photographers

There are a few entrances to Beijing's 798 Art Zone. Most visitors enter via 798 Street. There is a map at the entrance. Since galleries and shops come and go, the map can only serve to provide an overview and not as a directory.

In the summer, street artists draw portraits along 798 Street. You will see portraits of familiar faces such as basketball star Yao Ming and President Obama on display.

Occasionally, there are street musicians who also sell their original CDs.

This is also the exit after taking this round-trip tour.

There is no gate. You may enter and exit at any time of the day. However, most of the galleries close around 6pm and the coffee shops close around 9pm.

After walking through the 798 Street entrance, turn right on the first junction to the Qixing (Seven Star) West Street. You will see the Red House Gallery and Black Disc Coffee.

Red House Gallery is not a house but a moving bus. The bus is parked here during the summer and painted red. Inside the bus is a gallery for paintings of outdoor sports.

Across the street is Black Disc Coffee, a coffee bar that displays old records. Some of the discs may be for sale.
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Hours
Red House
Daily 10am-6pm
Black Disc Coffee
Daily 11am-9pm

When you reach the end of Seven Star West Street, make a left and follow Seven Star Road, then make a left on Third Ceramic Street, where you will enter a huge German-style factory building.

There are a few art galleries and even a tailor shop here. The 798 Space, a large empty space the size of about two basketball courts, is at the end of the building. This 1,000-square-meter structure is up to 9 meters high and is used for art gallery and media events.

A few remaining drilling and milling machines remind visitors this space was an operating factory not long ago.

The Dashanzi factory complex began as an extension of the Socialist Unification Plan of the military-industrial cooperation between the Soviet Union and the newly formed People's Republic of China. The factories were to build electronic components. However, the Soviet Union was unwilling to take on the project and suggested China turn to East Germany, which it did in 1951.

The Bauhaus-influenced design from East Germany called for a large indoor space. The ceiling curves upward and falls diagonally, giving it a saw-tooth-like appearance. The large windows on the ceiling allow maximum natural lighting.

The factory complex was finished in 1957 and production began that same year. Production gradually declined beginning in 1980. The factories were mostly vacant by the end of the 1990s, about the same time Chinese artists began looking for a cheap place to work and display their art.

Important note: There is a bathroom at the corner. It is the cleanest bathroom in the area. Consider using it even if it's not a necessity at the moment.
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Hours
Daily 10am-6pm

Across the corridor from the 798 Space is the Hundred Year Photo Gallery, which displays the work of various photographers year-round.

The theme for the gallery is life in China with topics such as migrant workers, Chinese families and their belongings, and Chinese people and the train. There are also old news event photos such as Chairman Mao on Tiananmen Square.

The gallery sells photo books and takes international credit cards.
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Hours
Daily 10am-6pm

After wandering for an hour through the various art galleries, it is time for a snack and coffee. At the corner of the 798 Space and 798 Photo is the 798 Square, home to At Cafe and Tianxia Yan (Lord of Salt) Sichuan Restaurant.

At Cafe serves Western-style coffee and snacks. Pizza and sandwiches are good choices.

Tianxia Yan (Lord of Salt) Sichuan restaurant is fairly priced and an ideal place for a Chinese-style dinner after the whole tour. The dishes are NOT salty (unlike the name suggests). Spiced chicken is the specialty.

Tip: At Cafe offers tables outside and is an excellent place to people watch.
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Hours
At Cafe
Daily 10am-11pm (during summer)
Phone: 010-64387264

Tianxia Yan (Lord of Salt)Sichuan Restaurant
Daily 11am-9pm
Phone: 010-64323577

After the coffee and snacks break, walk toward 751 D-Park. The first interesting thing you will see is the 751 Platform (train station).

This railway is still used today to transport coal and oil for winter heating in the area. There is a locomotive on permanent display in front of the train station. Pose your family in front of the locomotive for a portrait.
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Hours
Daily 24 hours

751 D-Park (Designer Park) was established at the site of the old 751 factory. It is next to and outside of the more famous 798 Art Zone and is home to China's fashion industry.

751 D-Park was designated as the venue for China Fashion Week 07-08 Collections Fashion Show. Even before the fashion show, famous fashion designers had already moved into the area.

This place is rather large and out of the way, but of interest to photographers. The rusting machines, red brick buildings and deserted heavy industrial buildings mixed with the modern and newly built design houses make the area appealing to visiting shutterbugs.

World-renowned companies occasionally us the space for product launches.

Tip: The place has few visitors, which makes it a good place to take unusual tourist photos.

After visiting most of the 798 Art Zone, it is time to return to the 798 entrance. But before leaving, stop at Yiran Bookstore and Coffee.

This little bookstore caters to art lovers. It has a large collection of art books in both Chinese and English.

Perhaps a little rest in the coffee shop is an excellent choice for you to view all the great photos you've taken in 798 or plan your next stop to another part of Beijing.

After Yiran Bookstore and Coffee, you will leave the 798 Art Zone via 798 Street to the entrance.
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Hours
Daily 10am-6pm

If you still have energy and want to see even more art, head to 798 Originality Square. It was added to the 798 Art Zone around 2007. On prominent display in the center of the square is the "Wolves Attack" metal sculpture.

Take your time and wander through the many art galleries in the area.

Tip: Since the 798 Originality Square is away from the main 798 Art Zone, it actually is far less crowded during the day.

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Phone: 010-59789180 59789181