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Art In The Capital
Beijing
In the midst of Beijing’s rapid development, its art galleries have taken root in the most surprising places. They’ve either adopted abandoned properties like old factories and a vegetable stand; or, they are brought into commercial spaces such as a mall and a hotel! See how different artists adapt their works to these alternative spaces! Hop from gallery to gallery and enjoy all China’s capital has to offer on the art front!
798 Art District is the heart of the city’s art scene! Homegrown artists and foreign galleries repurposed German-built factories into the city’s leading galleries. Mark Rothko, David Hockney, and Yoko Ono are just some of the big names who’ve displayed their work here! The sprawling complex warrants its own day just for exploration. Don’t miss Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) and Pace Beijing. 798 Art District is fully equipped with restaurants and shops for your end-of-day cool-down!
- +852 2854 3177
2 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
北京市朝阳区酒仙桥路2号 邮政编码: 100096- http://www.798district.com/
Find the future of Chinese contemporary art at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) Museum! They showcase works from students of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, the only art academy of higher education under China’s Ministry of Education! They cover all the important bases: painting, sculpture, design, architecture, and art history. CAFA truly pioneered modern art education in the country. Admission is minimal, making CAFA Museum the most, bang-for-your-buck art trip. Opening times may vary according to the school’s schedule, so call ahead to double check.
- +86 10 6477 1575
Central Academy of Fine Arts, 8 Huajiadi South Street, Wang Jing, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
- https://www.cafamuseum.org/en
Right beside Beijing’s Central Business District, Parkview Green is an upscale lifestyle district sprinkled with more than 500 pieces of art! Whimsical sculptures and modern masterpieces are installed alongside shops, offices, and a boutique hotel, adding a little more fun into everyday life. Parkview Green is home to the largest private collection of Salvador Dalì’s work outside of Barcelona. Perusing the pieces feels like a surrealist dream! Head up to Level 10 of Tower D for even more eye-candy in one place as there is the Parkview Green Museum.
9 Dongdaqiao Road, Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi, China
- http://www.parkviewgreen.com/eng
Make your trip to Beijing a colorful one by staying at The Opposite House. Every quarter, the luxury hotel invites China’s biggest names to curate their lobby centerpieces! Rooms, in contrast, are minimalist for maximum tranquility. They’ve gracefully combined traditional design and futuristic aesthetics as the perfect backdrop to your much-needed me-time! Comfort, in addition to style, is a top priority here. Look no further than the hotel’s joints: Jing Yaa Tang for roast duck, Village Café for international favorites, and Mesh for a nightcap!
- +86 10 6417 6688
Taikoo Li Sanlitun North, 11 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
- https://www.theoppositehouse.com/en/default
At only 15 square meters, Arrow Factory just might be the city’s smallest gallery. It is located in what was once a vegetable stand along one of the city’s hutongs (old alleyways). Thanks to the massive glass shopfront, passers-by are exposed to the thought-provoking installations within. In recent months, Arrow Factory has had to abide by local policies and brick up their frontage. They responded with “Fences” (2017) by placing one-way glass behind a small barred window on their new facade. Pay them a visit and see what else they can do with one little room!
38 Jianchang Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
箭厂胡同38号(国子监街内) 北京 100007 中国- http://www.arrowfactory.org.cn/
Salt Projects is a small micro-gallery and curatorial studio smack dab in the charming neighborhood of Lang Jia Hutong. They flex their audience’s intellect by hosting lectures, screenings, and performances. Once in a while, they even come out with publications! Call ahead before stopping by their exhibits as they are only open by appointment. The tiny space is a great spot to get a feel of the neighborhood; hangout sessions here easily flow from the studio to one of the laid-back bars in Lang Jia!
- +86 138 1062 9464
4 Langjia Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
- https://saltprojects.org/
Always pushing its boundaries, Wyoming Project is an incubator that brings bold ideas to life through new media! Video projections, eerie installations, and experimental photography are just some of the artforms that the gallery has offered its walls to. Still your mind and focus your thoughts on the art before you! Wyoming Project is hidden away in a labyrinth of narrow streets, and open only by appointment, making it an ideal escape from the city-at-large.
12 Houyongkang Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
- https://wyomingproject.net/
Today Art Museum is China’s first non-profit and non-governmental art museum! It sets its sights to the future of homegrown contemporary art through various special events. Attend seminars, workshops, and performances that dig deeper into modern living! Impressive sculptures stationed outside welcome you from the get-go and whet your appetite for more mind-stretching works. Exhibits change regularly so make the most of your visit and take your time. You may even bring home a keepsake from their well-curated Bookstore or Art Gift Store!
- +86 10 5876 0600
32 Baiziwan Road, Shuang Jing, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
北京市朝阳区双井百子湾路32号 邮政编码: 100022- https://www.todayartmuseum.com/enIndex.aspx
The Red Gate Gallery boasts a Ming Dynasty-era home and the title of China’s first private contemporary art gallery! Duck into the Southeast Corner Tower of the Dongbianmen city wall and discover a new wave of creative talents. Sculptures and paintings are elegantly placed throughout a spacious hall. Red Gate Gallery mounts up to eight solo shows a year, flaunting emerging talents from the region and beyond! The Red Gate Residency program also invites foreign artists to develop their work in China, allowing for cultural exchange!
- +86 10 6525 1005
First Floor and Fourth Floor, Dongbianmen Watchtower, Chongwenmen East Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
- https://www.redgategallery.com/
Burrowed underground, The Bunker is an alternative art space co-opted from a former air-raid shelter! Instead of a pristine white cube, the gallery retains a moody and mysterious atmosphere. Its founder, Peng Xiaoyang, has set up a series of spaces like The Bunker. One, in an apartment unit (DRC No. 12), and the other, the Tattoo Parlour. Shows are extremely rare and visits are always by appointment, but each trip guarantees to tickle the brain with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Keep an eye out for what else Mr. Peng Xiaoyang has up his sleeve!
- +86 139 0118 9731
Former Site of Duan Qirui Government, 3 Zhangzizhong Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
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