Ucca

The 76 yo volunteer working every Wednesday arvo is a true treasure! She’s so informative and passionate, and she has a great sense of humour!

It was my first time in Beijing, and I happened to visit in mid-January — around 2–3°C, cold enough to make you question your life choices 😅 But if you love art, design, and creative spaces, 798 Art Zone is absolutely a must-visit. The area is filled with galleries, installations, and unique creative shops. Even if you’re not trying to “analyze art,” simply walking around and soaking in the atmosphere feels inspiring. When the cold starts to hit and your feet get tired, there are plenty of cozy cafés nearby. You can warm up with a cup of coffee and take a break. The vibe here is lively but not noisy — energetic yet calm, which makes it a really pleasant place to spend time. I also tried a slice of cake, and it was surprisingly good — the kind of place that makes you want to sit a little longer. If you’re visiting Beijing and enjoy art mixed with lifestyle and culture, 798 is definitely worth spending half a day exploring. It’s cold, but the experience is totally worth it.

Looks organized but the exhibition varies. There are no permanent exhibition and tickets are required.

Large facility, small exhibition. Featuring modern art from local artists.

I guess your experience would depend on the exhibition on display at the time of visit. My experience was great as it was Xu Bing’s exhibition (one of the most prominent Chinese artists). Do check in advance and only visit if it’s a kind of art you want to see as there is an admission fee. The facility itself is of international standard.