China 798 Art District – Discover the Dynamic Art and Culture of Beijing

Written by Clementine | Updated January 29,2026

798 Art District, located in Beijing’s Dashanzi area, Chaoyang District, covers an area of more than 600,000 square meters with 6 distinguished districts. Therefore, it is also called DAD (Dashanzi Art District). It was an industrial district of state-owned 798 factory and other electronic industries formerly. Nowadays, the area has become a new landmark of Beijing urban culture and is well known for its contemporary art and 798 lifestyles.

There are more than 400 galleries, design studios, art exhibition spaces, artists’ studios, fashion stores, restaurants and bars, as well as animation, film and television media, publishing, design consulting and other types of cultural institutions from the United States, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Japan, Australia, South Korea, etc.

798 Art Zone was named one of the world’s 22 most culturally iconic urban art centers by Time Magazine. Newsweek and Fortune picked 12 world capitals in succession, and Beijing was featured for the first time, owing to the existence and growth of the 798 Art District, which demonstrates Beijing’s aptitude and future potential as a world city.

Content Preview

• Fast Facts of 798 Art District
• What is 798 Art District?
• Why Visit 798 Art District?
• Beijing 798 Art District History
• What to See and Do in 798 Art District of Beijing China
• Cafes and Restaurants in 798 Art District
• How to get to 798 Art District?
• FAQs About 798 Art District in Beijing

Fast Facts of 798 Art District

• Address: Dashanzi Area, Jiuxianqiao Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
• Open hours: The 798 Art District is open all day, but many galleries or exhibition halls are open on Tuesday to Sunday(10:00 – 18:00).
• Entrance Tickets: The 798 Art District is free to enter, however certain galleries and exhibition spaces require an admission fee.
• Highlights: UCCA Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, Bahrain Cultural Center, Persian Cultural and Art Center
• How long to stay: 2 hours to half a day
• Best for: Artists, culture and art enthusiasts, Beijing expats

What is 798 Art District?

It can be summed up in four words. That is: Chinese, contemporary, artistic, original.

The 798 Art District is positioned in China and contains unique Chinese elements. There are all kinds of galleries in 798 Art Zone, from the United States, France, Germany, Belgium, Japan and North Korea, as if it were a United Nations of culture and art. But it is China’s, and it is an inclusive, open, generous and experimental art zone.

The elements of 798 Art Zone are both China in the early days of the founding of the country and China during the time of reform and opening up. People say that there are three must-see places in Beijing: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the 798 Art Zone. Visiting the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and Beijing’s hutongs is a way to discover the old Beijing and its traditional culture. The 798 Art District, on the other hand, is a fashionable, avant-garde place where industry and art coexist, where history meets the future, and where it showcases contemporary Chinese culture.

Recommended Classic Beijing tours:

• One Day Old Beijing City Tour
• 3 Days Beijing Package Tour: City Highlights & Great Wall
• 5 Days Beijing Classic Tour

Why Visit 798 Art District?

• Here, you’ll get to experience the forefront of Chinese contemporary art in a setting unlike any other, since this site was a former industrial zone which later transformed into a creative powerhouse.
• The district is home to over 400 galleries, design studios, and cultural spaces from around the world, it will offer you a diverse and dynamic artistic atmosphere.
• You can also stroll through Bauhaus-style factory buildings that have been repurposed into modern art venues, however, their raw, industrial charm is still reserved.
• Many people are coming to 798 just to explore the renowned institutions like UCCA and the Bee Hive Theatre, where historic architecture meets cutting-edge exhibitions and performances.
• 798 is also an ideal destination to relax — perfect for enjoying coffee, snapping creative street photos, or simply soaking in the artistic vibe in its courtyards.
• Each year in late September, the 798 Art Festival brings fresh energy with large-scale exhibitions, interactive installations, and cultural events that attract art lovers from around the world.

Beijing 798 Art District History

When it comes to the history of Beijing 798 Art District , we must start from the industrialisation of New China. Beijing 798 Art District is located in the ‘Beijing North China Radio Equipment Factory’ (718 Joint Factory), which was built during the First Five-Year Plan period of New China with the assistance of the former Soviet Union and the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

In 2002, artists and cultural institutions stationed in 798 Art District and found the unique advantages of this factory for artistic work with the unique vision of artists. They made full use of the original factory style (German Bauhaus architectural style) and began to rent or rebuild the vacant space of factory, then gradually developed the gallery, art center, artist studios, design companies, bars and so on, which has formed the “art village of SOHO type” and the “LOFT” lifestyle.

In 2003, 798 art district was named one of the 22 most culturally iconic art centers in the world by Times magazine.

In2004, former Swedish prime minister, former Swiss prime minister, former German chancellor Gerhard Fritz Kurt Schroder, former Austrian prime minister, EU President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, Belgium Crown Prince, Annan’s wife, former French President Jacques Chirac’s wife visited the 798 art zone.

What to See and Do in 798 Art District of Beijing China

There are many famous galleries in 798 Art District that offer opportunities to experience the trendy art on your Beijing tours.

UCCA Center for Contemporary Art

One of the landmarks in 798 Art District, UCCA Center for Contemporary Art is a leading contemporary art institution in China. Located in the heart of the 798 Art District, its main Beijing pavilion covers an area of about 10,000 square meters. It was originally built in a historic factory building in 1957 and was renovated in 2019 by the Dutch Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA).

The centers include: UCCA Kids, which provides art education for children in museums; UCCA Store, which covers the sale of artists and exhibition derivatives; and UCCA Lab, which explores diverse collaborations between art and brands.

Beijing Bee Hive Theatre

It is a new theater, located in 798 Art District, which built by Meng Jinghui (probably the most prominent director of China’s avant-garde stage) just for “Rhino in Love” as a regular drama theater. In addition to regular theatrical productions, the Bee Hive Theatre hosts a variety of cultural and art events, including art exhibitions, rock concerts, drama salons, drama masterclasses, and contemporary poetry readings.

Asia Art Center

Established in 1982 in Taipei, Asia Art Center is a professional gallery of high quality. In 2007, it officially settled in Beijing 798 Art District and became the branch of the Art Center in Beijing. Covering an area of about 1000 square meters, the Beijing Pavilion of the Asian Art Center is rebuilt on the basis of the Bauhaus style factory building built in the late 1950s, and presents a unique artistic atmosphere with the integration of contemporary art.

Pace Beijing

Pace Beijing is located in the center of Beijing’s 798 Art District and spans almost 2,500 square meters, making it one of the zone’s largest space buildings. Pace Beijing’s pavilion, a large zigzag Bauhaus-style factory building from the 1960s, was transformed by architect Richard Gluckmann to preserve the original architectural form and present a modern style.

In 2008, Pace Beijing debut exhibition, “Encounter”, brought together portraits of top artists from East and West, including Andy Warhol, Alex Katz, Chuck Close, Li Songsong, Liu Wei, etc.

The Old Train Station

The 751 Art Zone is part of the 798 Art District, and the Old Train Station square is the landmark building of the 751, which was built by Tangshan Locomotive Factory in the early 1970s to commemorate this old locomotive.

798 Art District Festival

The 798 Art Festival is held at the end of September every year, and each year has a theme. On September 24, 2024, the 17th Beijing 798 Art Festival officially opened to the public. With the theme of “Fusion · New Quality”, the festival aims to show the new era of resonance between art and society through multiple art forms and new quality cultural experience.

798 Art Factory（798艺术工厂）

This is the heart and namesake of the district — and it’s also the first place where the transformation began. The former electronics factory buildings is now used to house a range of galleries, installations, and creative spaces. Their preserved industrial look, high ceilings, and exposed steel structures provide a dramatic backdrop for contemporary art. Here you can sense a unique beauty which is blended of old architectural style and new-age creativity, visitors can thus get a strong visual and cultural impact that reflects both history and innovation.

798 Photography Gallery（百年印象摄影画廊）

This is a must-visit for photography enthusiasts, as the gallery focuses exclusively on photographic art. Works here are collected from both established and rising talents across the world. And the range of exhibitions is also shocking, your journey can start with documentary series and end by portraiture to experimental and conceptual photography. The space not only highlights the power of visual storytelling but also encourages people to take insights into evolving social themes through the camera lens.

Beijing Commune

Founded in 2004, Beijing Commune is widely regarded as one of China’s most influential contemporary art galleries. It actively supports a roster of renowned Chinese artists, and there many people frequently host solo and group exhibitions that gain international attention in this place. The gallery plays a key role in connecting China’s modern art scene with global audiences, and it offers a curated platform for people to share critical dialogue, visual exploration, and cultural exchange.

Cafes and Restaurants in 798 Art District

798 is not only a destination of art, but also a great place to enjoy your leisure time with delicate food and coffee. To meet so many people’s need, a range of trendy cafes, fusion restaurants, and dessert shops are scattered throughout the district. You can find everything from artisanal coffee in minimalist spaces to Chinese-Western fusion meals in art-themed settings. Many venues also offer outdoor seating and creative menus that reflect the neighborhood’s artistic vibe.

How to get to 798 Art District?

Where is 798 Art District

798 Art District (Dashanzi Art District (DAD) ) is located in northeast Beijing. And to be more specific on a geographic sense, it is in the Dashanzi area of Chaoyang District.

The zone is a rather large one covers about 0.6 square kilometers (≈ 600,000 m²). And what makes it quite special is it actually lies on the site of former state-owned electronic factories (the old “718 Joint Factory” complex, of which Factory 798 was one part).

By Subway: the closest metro station is Gaojiayuan, which has both metro lines 12 and 14. After leaving from exit A or B, you can walk to the art district in 5 minutes directly.

By Bus: several bus lines are available, the following are the main bus stops and the bus lines.

• Caihonglu stop: lines 418, 516, 851 and 854
• Dashanzilukounan stop: lines 117, 401, 405, 445, 988, 991
• Dashanzilukoudong stop: bus lines 403, 418, 593, 851, 854
• Beijingdianjizongchang: lines 403, 516, 593

Plan a Beijing Tour with 798 Art District

If you want to explore 798 Art District with other Beijing attractions, you can have several different plans.

Option A — Classic Beijing + Modern Art (One Day)

• Morning: Explore historic sites such as the Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square.
• Lunch: Head toward 798, grab a casual meal or coffee at cafés like Ace Café
• Afternoon (2–4 PM): Wander through 798’s alleys, visit galleries, enjoy street art, and pop-up museums.
• Evening: Stay for dinner or drinks at a local spot

Option B — Chill Day: Art, Cafés & Relaxation

• Late Morning (~11 AM): Arrive at 798; start with galleries or installations.
• Lunch / Early Afternoon: Café-hop
• Afternoon: Explore more galleries, design shops, and boutique stores; take photos and enjoy street art(in other words, fully explore the district
• Late Afternoon / Evening: Either continue in 798 for dinner/drinks or visit a nearby modern shopping area.

Recommended visiting route within 798 art district – from our local guides:

As a local guide, we recommend the following routes for tourists. Both routes avoid detours and cover many photography spots. There are also some interesting stores we prefer. Both popular and niche scenic spots are included in the routes. During the wandering, you can also explore freely to discover the shops you like.

Route 1: Exit A of Gaojiayuan Station – West Gate 2 – Red Stone Square – Persian Art and Cultural Center – Locomotive Square – Bauhaus Plaza – Jiazuo Bookstore -Tokyo Gallery – UCCA Center for Contemporary Art – Yue Xiao Guan Southeast Asian Restaurant – Peet’s Coffee – Encounter Museum – Modern Motor Culture Center – West Gate 4

Route 2: Exit A of Gaojia Yuan Subway Station – West Gate – Modern Motor Culture Center – Electronics Plaza – Spring Cameras – U CAN – Graffiti Building – Bauhaus Plaza – Locomotive Square – 798 Skywalk – Zhuama Art Space – Cat’s Suitcase – 56 Flowers Art Space – Graffiti Wall – West Gate

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Essential Tips from Our Real Experience

• Luggage: the deposit place inside 798 Art District is in ‌798Art Center, it is about 200 meters from the east entrance. The opening hours are from 08:00 – 24:00. The cost for a backpack and a suitcase is CNY 10+ and CNY 20+, respectively.
• Photo: Many shops inside the district are not allowed to take photos, please respect the rule.
• Best Time:Spring and autumn offer better weather and experiences than summer and winter. And weekdays usually have fewer tourists.
• Shoes: The district actually covers a large area, and only can be explored by walking, so a pair of comfortable shoes will be very helpful.
• Map: It is recommended to get a guide map at the tourist center or from the official website, so that you can plan the route clearly.
• Toilets: it has to acknowledge that the toilets inside the district are relatively hard to find, you can ask the clerk for help.

FAQs About 798 Art District in Beijing

What kind of art can I expect to see in 798 Art District?

Most of the exhibitions here belong to contemporary art, including paintings, sculpture, mixed media, photography, digital art, installations, and experimental works from artists all around the world.

What are the typical opening hours for galleries and shops?

Most galleries are open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00. Some cafes and stores may longer opening hours. So don’t put this destination on your itinerary for Monday.

Are there any special events or festivals held in 798?

Yes, the most notable event would be the 798 Art Festival which is held annually in late September. It’s the greatest time to join an art feast, as it themed exhibitions, performances, interactive art, and talks.

Is there an entrance fee to enter the 798 Art District?

No general entrance fee is required to enter 798. However, certain exhibitions or museums within the district may charge your for admission.

Plan Your Beijing Tour with China Xian Tour

If 798 District can be said as a place showing the modern and artistic side of Beijing, then attractions like Forbidden City or Temple of Heaven are those allowing people to feel the city’s ancient and old imperial charm. All these highlights make Beijing an attractive destination, and with China Xian Tour, you’ll get to explore the most of it. We offer private guide services and customized itineraries, so you can have some deep insights of each place you go. While all the details will be arranged by us, you can just enjoy yourself and make unforgettable memories in this grand city.