798 Art Disrict (Beijing)

[adrianlondon]

This is in NE Beijing, nearish the Lido (which itself is near the Airport Express Way).

If you're into contemporary art (most of it is European but there's local stuff there too) or you simply like mixing with the arty crowd and getting free drinks, it's well worth a visit.

Check the opening dates/times of new exhibitions as often the artist/photographer/whoever turns up and you can hobnob with trendy people while drinking free wine and eating free snacks.

The art itself varies from excellent to mediocre, as it would anywhere and - of course - dependent on your personal taste. As well as the artworks are the buildings themselves. Built by East Germans in the 50s to house electronic component factories (some of which are still in operation - huge things with steam bellowing out and cool industrial noises) they make a great backdrop to the exhibits.

Of course, if you're not a fan of contemporary art or Bauhaus architecture, then it's not for you.

I loved it.

It's also a way of getting away from the traffic for a few hours.

[againstwind]

Really fantastic place! I've just come back from 798 District.There is an art festival at present. Worth visiting.

[juhuacha]

I'm a big fan of 798 (my play, I Heart Beijing, went up there at Hart Cafe in November) even if it is a wee bit 'sold-out' and the art a wee bit cookie-cutter.

If nothing else, great cafes, refreshing atmosphere and always new and wacky things going on

[adrianlondon]

Wow, a real youming ren here on chinese-forums.

I didn't get a chance to see your play; a couple of friends of mine did and they loved it. You need to put it on again ;)

[juhuacha]

lol, right, 明星 ；）

actually, we *are* going to do another run of the play (I mean, I can't go depriving the population of laughter, now can I?) some time in March... if you send me an email (my username at iheartbeijing.com) I will send you an email when we've selected dates and location ;)