Situated in the northeastern pocket of Chaoyang District, this haven of creative and commercial energy is anchored by the sprawling, decommissioned Bauhaus factories of 798 and the sweeping, metallic curves of the Wangjing SOHO complex. Within a short drive, you can see architectural marvels ranging from saw-toothed brick roofs laced with rusted Soviet-era pipelines to aerodynamic, pebble-like skyscrapers housing China's biggest tech titans. Stop for a meticulously poured flat white beneath a towering contemporary sculpture, browse museum-quality exhibitions from global artists, and sample arguably the most authentic Korean barbecue and fried chicken in the capital. Saunter along the pedestrianized, graffiti-lined alleys of 798 to watch Beijing's creative class mingle with international curators. Take a break from the dense, visual stimulation of the galleries with a sleek, high-altitude business lunch in Wangjing, watching the relentless, fast-paced rhythm of the city's second CBD unfold below.
Don't Miss
- Exploring the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, the undisputed anchor institution of 798, housed in a magnificent factory space and hosting China's most important contemporary exhibitions.
- Photographing the breathtaking, fluid architecture of Wangjing SOHO at golden hour, when Zaha Hadid’s three mountain-like towers glow against the Beijing skyline.
- Diving into the labyrinth of Wangjing's backstreets for an immersive Koreatown dining experience, complete with charcoal grills, countless banchan (side dishes), and late-night soju.
How to Get There
This sprawling northeastern hub is incredibly well-connected by the Beijing Subway system, particularly Line 14.
For corporate travelers and creatives basing themselves at premium downtown properties like Ascott Raffles City Beijing in Dongzhimen, the commute to this tech and art corridor is seamless. Take Line 14 to Wangjing South Station to emerge just a short walk from the 798 Art Zone entrances. To plunge directly into the futuristic tech hub and Koreatown, stay on Line 14 to Futong or Wangjing Station.
Quick Facts
- 798 was originally "Joint Factory 718," a massive military-industrial complex designed by East German architects in the 1950s, recognizable by its distinct, function-first Bauhaus aesthetic.
- Wangjing is home to over 70,000 South Korean expatriates, establishing it as Beijing's vibrant, undisputed "Little Seoul."
- Over the last decade, Wangjing has transformed into Beijing's new tech epicenter, serving as the headquarters for giants like Alibaba (Beijing campus) and Meituan.
Home to Beijing's creative and corporate vanguard
Since the early 2000s, when pioneering artists began squatting in the abandoned, light-filled factory floors, 798 has been an enclave long synonymous with freedom of expression and avant-garde culture. From the area's soaring, red-brick chimneys to the groundbreaking arrival of international blue-chip galleries, the district's love of adaptive reuse sees it serve as the raw, beating heart of China's contemporary art market.
Right next door, Wangjing's evolution tells a story of breakneck modernization. Featured throughout global architecture magazines, its skyline represents the unstoppable momentum of Chinese technology. And while Wangjing's corporate polish directly contrasts with 798's industrial rust, the two neighborhoods share a symbiotic, outward-looking energy, creating a dynamic corridor where art, tech, and international expatriate culture effortlessly collide.
798 Art Zone—navigating the post-industrial canvas
The pedestrianized, tree-lined 798 Road is the art district's main circulatory artery. Stepping past the massive, rusting machinery left in the plazas, you'll immediately see a sprawling network of galleries, independent bookshops, and boutique designer studios housed within the cavernous factory halls.
Jam-packed with art collectors, fashion-conscious youth, and weekend wanderers, this sprawling district is a fascinating melting pot of high-end curation and street-level creativity that's sure to give you an inspiring, highly photogenic perspective on China's creative class.
Satisfy your appetite, from artisan cafes to authentic Koreatown
Behind almost every heavy iron door in 798 are celebrated cafes pumping out third-wave coffee and chic, western-style brunches. A must-do for gallery hoppers is finding a sun-drenched, industrial-chic patio to rest your feet.
However, when dinner time approaches, the true culinary draw lies just minutes away in Wangjing. Whether you're after the melt-in-your-mouth perfection of marinated galbi (beef short ribs) cooked over live charcoal, deeply comforting bowls of spicy kimchi stew, or trendy Korean cafes serving shaved ice (bingsu), there's something for every demanding palate. These bustling, authentic Korean joints are essentially the district's hospitality staple, and you can't leave without experiencing the boisterous, late-night energy of Wangjing's dining scene.
A paradise for architectural curves and tech-hub lifestyle
Wangjing is arguably Beijing's most dramatic architectural showcase, and what's a modern tech hub without spectacular corporate lifestyle? No matter your aesthetic, you can find an incredible, sleek selection of amenities catering to the neighborhood's young, affluent tech workforce.
The undisputed anchor of the area is Wangjing SOHO, where the base of the towers is surrounded by a massive, landscaped public park and a retail podium packed with premium fitness studios, concept bakeries, and high-end business dining. It is a stunning example of how futuristic urban planning can successfully integrate daily lifestyle and green space.
Taking to the industrial backstreets
Thanks to its global impact as a cultural destination, the main thoroughfares of 798 are undeniable hotspots. Though the atmosphere here is essential for any art lover, if you really want to immerse yourself in the varying layers of this post-industrial landscape, don't be afraid to wander into the adjacent 751 D-Park.
If you head east over the abandoned railway tracks, you'll find a network of massive, rusted gasometers and colossal iron furnaces connecting some of the most impressive, large-scale event spaces and independent design firms in the city. Stepping into this quieter, slightly more brutalist enclave offers a raw, steampunk-esque contrast to the polished galleries of 798—a place where the sheer, overwhelming scale of China's 20th-century heavy industry is left beautifully, dramatically intact.
