Thing to do
Mutianyu Great Wall
A restored Ming section of the Great Wall about 70 km north-east of Beijing, with 22 watchtowers, a cable car, a chairlift and a toboggan ride…
798 Art Zone
A former 1950s electronics factory complex in Chaoyang, now Beijing's best-known art district with galleries, studios, design shops and the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art.
At a glance
- Type
- Art district in former factories
- Area
- Dashanzi, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
Good to know
- Free entry to the district
- UCCA Center for Contemporary Art
- Galleries and design shops
- Cafés
Why we recommend it
The 798 Art Zone occupies a former industrial complex in Dashanzi, in Chaoyang district, north-east of the centre. It was built as Joint Factory 718, an electronics plant planned under Sino-Soviet cooperation. East German engineers designed the buildings in a functional style influenced by the Bauhaus, with distinctive sawtooth roofs. Construction began in 1954 and production started in 1957. As the factories declined, artists began moving into the empty spaces in the mid-1990s, and galleries followed from 2002. After plans to clear the site in the mid-2000s were dropped, it was kept as an art district.
Today, according to the Beijing government, the zone covers more than 500,000 square metres and contains more than 600 businesses in art, design, film, media, fashion, architecture, music and dining. It hosts more than 4,500 cultural and design events a year, and cultural centres from 19 countries and regions are based there. About 11 million people visit each year, around 30 per cent of them from abroad.
The anchor institution is UCCA Center for Contemporary Art at No. 4 Jiuxianqiao Road, the most visited venue in the district. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 7pm, with last entry at 6.30pm, and is closed on Mondays. Tickets are sold through UCCA's official WeChat account or at the front desk, and the museum houses the UCCA Paragon Book Gallery, an art and culture bookshop. Other early spaces include 798 Space and Beijing Tokyo Art Projects.
Walking around the district itself is free and possible at any time, but some exhibitions and events charge admission or require reservations, which can be made through the 798 Art Zone's WeChat mini programs, Damai or on site. Exhibitions change regularly, so check what is on before you go.
Allow at least half a day to wander between galleries, shops and cafés. The area suits art and design lovers, photographers and anyone interested in Beijing's industrial past. UCCA recommends Line 14 to Wangjing South or Jiangtai stations, or a taxi; parking inside the district can be difficult. Jing-A Brewing also runs one of its taprooms in the 798 area, which makes a good stop at the end of the day.
798 Art Zone FAQs
Is it free to visit 798?
Yes, the district is free to enter, though some exhibitions and events charge admission or need a reservation.
When is UCCA open?
Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 7pm, with last entry at 6.30pm. It is closed on Mondays.
How do you get there?
Take Line 14 to Wangjing South or Jiangtai, or a taxi.
What was 798 originally?
Joint Factory 718, an electronics complex built from 1954 with Bauhaus-influenced buildings designed by East German engineers.
How big is the district?
More than 500,000 square metres, with over 600 businesses.
How long should I allow?
At least half a day.
How do you book exhibitions?
Through the 798 Art Zone WeChat mini programs, Damai or on site.
Is parking easy?
Parking is available but can be difficult, so public transport or a taxi is easier.