798 Art District

798 Art District is often called the 798 Art District, 798 Art Zone or Factory 798. It is an attractive travel spot in Beijing and a new rising, avant-garde and trendy space that hosts high-level cultural, artistic and commercial activities, located in Dashanzi Art District which is the site of state-owned factories including Factory 798, which originally produced electronics. Beginning in 2002, artists and cultural organizations began to divide, rent out, and re-make the factory spaces, gradually developing them into galleries, art centers, artists' studios, design companies, restaurants, and bars. It has become a "Soho-esque" area of international character, replete with "loft living", attracting attention from all around. As the heart of a growing art and culture community in Beijing, 798 Art District is the center and the biggest space that provide cultural, artistic and commercial activities in the area. It

occupies an area of 1000 square meters, with 9 meters high structural exhibition space, 300 square meters relaxing and eating space, contemporary art book shop, film and video showing area. It can hold more than 1000 guests with ease. Bringing together contemporary art, architecture, and culture with a historically interesting location and an urban lifestyle, "798 Art District " has evolved into a cultural concept, of interest to experts and normal folk alike, influential on our concepts of both urban culture and living space. Artists working in 798 Art District today still say they are uncertain about the government's future tolerance of their work. Some of them claim that they have been encouraged, or merely left alone, during the past decade, in part because officials are not sure whether to consider contemporary art as 'genuine' art. Other restrictions continue to constrain 798 Art District's

development. Newcomers, for instance, must submit themselves to the Seven Star Group and demonstrate that they meet certain criteria. The same goes for existing tenants seeking to renew their contract. Apart from the traditional ancient travel spots wandering at 798 Art District, you will have a totally different feeling toward the modern society and people’s new ideas about life, nature, culture,even the world. Here are some guide information for your tour to 798 Art District: Address: 4 Jiuxian Bridge, Chaoyang District, Beijing.  Admission Fee: free,  Openning Hours: 10:00 – 19:00 (different art gallaries may have different visiting hours depend on actural situation), Contact Number: 86-10-84572188