798 Art District

"798” Art Zone is located in Dashanzi area, to the northeast of central Beijing. It was originally the site of factories including 798, a factory that produced electronics. The factory area is architecturally simple and honest, emphasizing utility. Its massive ducts and bright windows are seldom seen elsewhere. The halls were built using Soviet aid in the 1950s, with East Germany providing architectural and industrial design.

Beginning in 2002, artists and cultural organizations came here and began to divide, rent out and remake the factory spaces, gradually developing it into several galleries, art centers, artists’ studios, design companies, restaurants, and bars. It became an area of international character, bringing together contemporary art, architecture and culture with a historically interesting location and an urban lifestyle which attracting attention from all around. “798” 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.