IS BEIJING’S 798 ART ZONE WORTH A VISIT?
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If you have only limited time in Beijing it can be hard to decide which attractions are worth a visit. The 798 Art District is often recommended as a “hidden gem” – but what exactly is it and does it deserve a space on your China itinerary?
I had this new art and leisure zone on my list during my three week stay in Beijing but somehow kept pushing it off. However, on my last day in town I managed to squeeze in a short visit. And I am glad I did as I liked it a lot more than expected!
This post is not a detailed guide to everything you could see and do there though. Instead, I will try to give you the basic logistics (visiting the 798 Art Zone is quite uncomplicated) and an idea of the vibe/style of the place so you can decide if it is worth your time!
The Basics
What is the 798 Art District?
The 798 Art District is a collection of art, culture, and leisure venues located in a former factory area. Basically, the old factories and staff buildings in the Dashanzi area now house galleries, museums, smaller attractions, workshops, design centers, restaurants, and bars.
Everything is very hip, cute, and stylish, a very curated experience with an upscale feel. A great choice for art enthusiasts, tourists, Instagram photos, or just hanging out with friends or family.
Getting to the 798 Art District
Getting to the 798 Art Zone in Dashanzi is easy via public transit. Your best bet is to check the route on AMap (or Badu Map).
Coming from Beijing’s CBD I took Line 12 to Gaojiayuan Station.
From the station I walked about 5 minutes along the street.
At the sign I turned to my right and another 5 minutes later I was there.
As the Art District is basically a city block you can enter from different sides – just follow the map directions to find the easiest route for your specific circumstances.
Visiting the 798 Art District area (aside of some specific attractions) is completely free. You don’t need a ticket and there is no need to book ahead. You can be quite flexible and just go whenever it fits into your itinerary. An excellent choice if you are watching your budget.
When to go
The 798 Art Zone can be visited pretty much any time. I visited on a sunny Saturday morning in June. It wasn’t very busy yet but far from empty. It definitely had a lively vibe and looked like it would be quite popular later in the day. I saw a fair number of families and more international tourists than almost anywhere else in Beijing (so much for the hidden gem thing).
The opening times will depend on the various shops, cafes, and galleries. I would think that weekend afternoons are best if you prefer a lively, bustling atmosphere whereas weekday mornings are best if you prefer quiet (or don’t want people messing up your photos).
Amenities at 798 Art District
The whole area is basically a collection of “amenities”. There are more cafés, restaurants, restrooms etc. than you could possibly need!
How long do you need?
This will vastly depend on what you want to do there. I spent only about one hour (it was very hot!) – that was enough to walk through the various alleys and plazas and get an idea of what there is and what the vibe is like.
If you do any of the activities (I saw several VR activities etc.), eat a meal or at least sit in a café or browse through the shops, you will need a lot longer. I would say an average visit would probably take about 2 to 3 hours.
My Visit to 798 Art Zone – What to expect
As mentioned above, I will just give a quick mention of some of the things I noticed (with photos) so you have a better idea what you will see at the 798 Art District. During my visit I walked roughly counter-clockwise around the zone, trying to hit most of the alleys and plazas.
I will post the photos roughly in the same order with a short description.
Entrance and Ceramics Street
One of the first things I saw was the Meet you Museum. I believe it had a special exhibit with Cambodian Art.
The District isn’t huge so you are unlikely to get lost. However, just in case, there are plenty of bilingual signs to help you find specific shops or attractions.
Along the Ceramics Street there were various galleries, workshops, and stores.
798 Factory Area
Next I came to what I believe is the converted factory 798 for which the whole zone is named. It is fairly centrally located and there are various cool installations and art work in front of it.
Nearby there was the entrance to one of several VR/AI attractions (at least that is what I think it was). This one had an English sign so maybe it is possible to enjoy without any Mandarin? It looked quite exciting but as I said I just did a quick walk-through.
Aside of the art work, shops, attractions, and galleries, the area has a cool, old-time factory vibe, somewhat similar to Shougang Park. It is a lot of fun to wander through!
Graffiti Tunnel
As you walk around you will find various small alleys, courtyards, tunnels etc. Half the fun is to explore the various streets and see what you will find.
I am not really a fan of gritty urban landscapes. But this tunnel with graffiti was very clean and curated. One side had large crates and there were plenty of good photo spots!
751 Park and Train Yard
Next was the 751 Park with a train area nearby (sorry about the photo quality – the sun was extremely bright).
Here there were two train tracks with parked trains as well as various cool statues. A red smurf! Definitely unusual.
The trains were mostly converted into a restaurant/bar. It looked quite inviting but was still empty so early in the day.
By this time I had seen most of the alleys/stores on the right side and now started to make my way back on the other side.
Stores and galleries on the left
You will find quite a variety of stores and galleries, from pop art to folk crafts and more classic designs. Here is a somewhat random collection of places I saw in this general area.
There was a very posh/fancy looking bookstore (I did not check if they have English books).
I have to admit that I am not a serious art connoisseur. But there were plenty of cute/cool/hip installations even if you are not a museum lover. It definitely would be fun also for kids – and makes for great photo ops.
You ARE an art lover? Even better. There were plenty of museums. This smaller museum of Iranian art looked quite interesting.
Shopping
There were a lot of boutiques and stores with all kinds of things. Definitely a good place if you enjoy browsing.
The 798 Art District would be a great place if you are looking for an artsy, more unique souvenir.
Who would enjoy the 798 Art District?
The 798 Art District is ideal if you are an art lover and/or enjoy browsing in cool stores, discovering hidden alleys or are just looking for a unique place with a fun vibe to hang out at.
798 Art District or Shougang Park?
In many ways the 798 Art District reminded me of my visit to Shougang Park. Both areas are converted and restored factory/industrial areas that now offer various leisure and fun activities.
But which one to choose if you only have time for one? While they do have some similarities, they are still quite distinct:
Shougang Park has a unique steampunk vibe and is great for families and outdoor fun
Shougang Park on the other hand is a bit further away, feels quite suburban/rural, has a unique steampunk/lost places vibe, and offers many outdoor and family fun activities.
798 Art District feels quite upscale with lots of galleries and boutiques
798 Art District is easier to get to, has an urban setting, focuses on art, and offers lots of shopping and eating venues.
So is 798 Art District worth a visit?
Yes, it is definitely worth a visit if you are looking for a low-key, relaxing activity, strolling through a pedestrian zone while browsing art galleries and cute boutiques. It makes for a great change to the many gorgeous parks and fancy palaces you find in Beijing.
The 798 Art Zone was on my places-to-see-list before I got to Beijing but somehow I kept pushing it off. While it sounded interesting, the idea of going there was clearly not as appealing to me as some of the other attractions. But I am very glad I still made it!
So if I liked it, why did I spend so little time there? It was at the end of my three weeks in Beijing and I was rather worn out. I really just wanted to chill out in my cool 5-star-hotel by that point. In addition, it was very hot on that day and I just didn’t have the energy.
But in spite of all this I liked it much more than I expected. It is close to the top of my list for a second visit the next time I am in Beijing – this time when I have more energy and time!
