I am a very independent traveller and prior to my recent trip to China I viewed some sites and came across trip advisor and was surprised to see an art precinct listed as a top ranking place to visit.
Once time permitted I visited 798 Art Precinct and was amazed first it is Free to enter, has marvellous street art and many wonderful art galleries to visit .
I was lost many times as I wove my way around the labyrinth of streets and lanes that make up this site. The only drawback at the time there was a lot of reconstruction going you had to be careful where you stepped. But by now I am sure all of this work is complete.
Being an keen photographer I enjoyed the many statues that were outside many of the galleries and attach some of them for you to view.
A bit puffed out after a while I found a great coffee shop well one of many but it was nice to sit outside in the shade of a tree and watch the world go by.
In a back alley I found a great little shop selling silk art and one of their features was to make up a piece from a photo this intrigued me so I returned with a photo of my pet bird. After touring many other places in China I returned to find the piece ready and waiting for me, wow I was impressed (see photo).
798 is an easy place to find, I never used a taxi but found my way on a bus near Dongzhimen subway station.
So if you like art or want to see something different this is a great place to visit.
Enjoy your time in China, I did.
Cheers
Bill