Art About Town: Beijing's Best Art Spaces

As China’s art capital, Beijing boasts a bounty of gleaming galleries and art districts that exhibit the works of world-class artists. Below is a roundup of a few of the most interesting galleries and art spaces the capital has to offer.

798 Art District – Dashanzi
Once upon a time, 798 was a Bauhaus factory complex that manufactured electronic components for the Chinese military. Now the enormous monolithic spaces of brick and glass are home to many of the most powerful commercial galleries in Beijing, as well as a multitude of boutiques and cafes. It may have lost some of its avant-garde artistic edge in recent years, but it still remains a vital refer-ence point for Beijing’s contemporary art scene.

Art Scene Beijing
These longtime supporters of the Shanghai art scene also operate two sister galleries in Shanghai’s Moganshan art district, having opened their Beijing branch in 2006. Art Scene’s exhibition spaces have a strong focus on bringing new Chinese talent to international attention, with the gallery also participating in art expositions worldwide.
Tue-Sun 10am-6pm. Dashanzi art district, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (6431 6962, info@artscenechina.com) www.artscenebeijing.com 朝阳区酒仙桥路2号798大山子艺术区

Beijing Tokyo Art Projects
With a branch already established in Tokyo, this was one of the first international galleries to arrive on the scene in 798. This petite gallery houses cutting edge exhibitions from artists across Japan, Korea and beyond. Definitely worth checking out during a visit to 798.
Tue-Sun 10am-6.30pm. Dashanzi art district, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (8457 3245) www.tokyo-gallery.com 北京东京艺术工程, 朝阳区酒仙桥路4号798大山子艺术区

Galleria Continua
This three-story structure in the center of 798 consistently exhibits some of the finest contemporary art from Italy and around the world. Galleria Continua opened four years ago with the expressed aim to draw together different spheres of creativity by promoting international contemporary art. Each art project is designed specifically for the gallery space.
Tue-Sun 11am-6pm. Dashanzi art district, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (5978 9505) www.galleriacontinua.com 常青画廊, 朝阳区酒仙桥路2号798大山子艺术区

Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA)
Founded by Belgian philanthropists, the goal of UCCA is to provide an exhibition space for artists from around the world, but particularly for those from China who are less commercially-oriented. The center has received glowing reviews abroad for bringing international exhibition standards to the city. UCCA boasts several events each week, including films, forums to supplement their frequent large-scale exhibitions.
Tue-Sun 10am-7pm. Dashanzi Art District, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (8459 9269) www.ucca.org.cn 尤伦斯当代艺术中心, 朝阳区酒仙桥路4号大山子艺术区

Caochangdi
Rising rent and overcrowding in 798 (once the unquestioned epicenter of Beijing’s lively contemporary art scene) has driven many artists and galleries to set up in Caochangdi, a village to the north. Although even more of a trek from the city centre, the journey to this thriving arts community is well worth it – just be prepared to navigate yourself around maze-like alleyways.

Platform China
A dynamic and experimental art space exhibiting video and installation art in a fresh, non-commercial setting. Platform China aims to promote contemporary art in all its different forms while building a platform of cultural exchange and dialogue between Chinese and international artists. They also run a residency program for international artists.
Tue-Sun 11am-6pm. 319-1 East End Art (Zone A), Caochangdi Village, Chaoyang District. (6432 0169/0091, info@platformchina.org) ww.platformchina.org 站台 中国当代艺术机构, 朝阳区草场地村319-1 艺术东区A区内

Three Shadows Photography Art Centre
Three Shadows was founded by the leading couple in Chinese contemporary photography Rongrong and inri, and quickly established itself as Beijing’s premier venue for engaging the medium. Aside from impressive exhibitions of both Western and Chinese artists, the center has a cafe, shop, library and a dark room.
Tue-Sun 10am-6pm. 155 East End Art, Caochangdi Village (Next to Platform China), Chaoyang District. (6432 2663) www.threeshadows.cn 三影堂摄影艺术中心, 朝阳区草场地艺术东区155号(站台中国旁)

Pekin Fine Arts
This space was established by Meg Maggio – former co-founder and exhibitions director of the successful CourtYard Gallery (see below) – and designed by Beijing-based artist/architect Ai Weiwei (who designed many of the important art spaces in Caochangdi). With over 600 square meters of exhibition space, Pekin Fine Arts displays work by contemporary Chinese artists and collaborates with galleries abroad to expose Chinese art to the global sphere.
Wed-Sun 10am-6pm. 241 Caochangdi, Cuigezhuang, Chaoyang District. (5127 3220) www.pekinfinearts.com 艺门画廊, 朝阳区崔各庄乡草场地村241号

Central Beijing
These days one mustn’t always traipse out to Dashanzi or Caochangdi to take in interesting contemporary art, as many galleries dotted throughout central Beijing have become an important part of the scene.

Arrow Factory
This tiny gallery nestled in amongst the hustle and bustle of a small hutong behind the Confucian Temple is a deviation from the sprawling, monumental art districts far from the city center. For a start, the gallery never opens its doors; the exhibitions are viewed from the outside through its windows. Having a small art space means the gallery is able to keep overheads to a minimum and focus on what really matters – the art.
38 Jianchang Hutong (Off Guozijian Jie), Dongcheng District. www.arrowfactory.org.cn 箭厂空间，东城区箭厂胡同38号（国子监街内）

Courtyard Gallery
One of Beijing’s older contemporary galleries, Courtyard Gallery aspires to show the best of emerging and mid-career Chinese contemporary art in all mediums, as well as work by emerging international artists. The gallery also cooperates with overseas galleries in showcasing works by Chinese artists.
Tue-Sat 11am-7pm, Sun noon-7pm. B1/F, 95 Donghuamen Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6526 8882, fax 6526 8880, courtart@cinet.com.cn) www.courtyard-gallery.com 四合苑, 东城区东华门大街95号地下一层

Onemoon Contemporary Art
Tucked away in a renovated temple inside Ditan Park, Onemoon specializes in Chinese abstract expressionist art, all with an elegant feel. This is a great downtown art stop that might complement a visit to the Lama Temple (Yonghegong) nearby.
Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm. Inside Ditan Gongyuan (enter from the south gate), Dongcheng District. (6427 7748) www.onemoonart.com 一月当代, 东城区安定门外地坛公园

Red Gate Gallery
Celebrating its 18th year, Red Gate Gallery is one of the major shapers of Chinese contemporary art and still delivers punchy artists. It has gained a reputation, both internationally and locally, for showcasing the work of new and emerging Chinese artists and introducing them to the world. The gallery operates in what has to be Beijing’s rarest downtown art space – a Ming Dynasty watchtower.
Daily 10am-5pm. Levels 1 and 4, Dongbianmen Watchtower Chongwenmen, Chongwen District. (6525 1005) www.redgategallery.com 红门画廊, 崇文区东便门角楼