Beijing Qihao Art Museum
Designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando, the museum's exposed concrete exterior resembles a lotus flower, pure and untouched, harmoniously blending with the surrounding natural environment, quietly blooming along Liangma River in Chaoyang.
The building features a sharp geometric design with a long corridor leading to the entrance. In the afternoon, sunlight streams through the windows, casting dreamy patterns on the ground.
Address: No. 8 Xinyuan Nanlu (Rd North), Chaoyang, Beijing
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Chinese Academy of Oil Painting
The Chinese Academy of Oil Painting was transformed from an old factory and covers an area of 60 mu (approximately 40,000 square meters). It integrates various functions, including an art museum, exhibition hall, and lecture hall.
The institute's iconic structures feature a cream-colored chapel, gently ascending stairs, and a triangular roof, all without excessive patterns or ornate decorations.
The interior has a column-free space with a ceiling height of 23 meters. The orderly arrangement of geometric lines evokes a sense of structure, and looking up at the chapel's ceiling, one is filled with a sense of sacred solemnity. The building's pure white and minimalist silhouette is both elegant and stylish, with the textured walls of the chapel resembling a clean, understated canvas. Here, architecture and light blend beautifully, creating a tactile sense of beauty.
The museum behind the chapel is also worth exploring, with its impressive red brick structures arranged in a staggered formation. In contrast to the elegance of the chapel, the museum has a more raw, rugged feel. The arched and rounded windows allow natural light to flood in, and the varied spatial design makes it a perfect spot for photography, where you can capture captivating moments highlighted by the interplay of light and shadow. Climbing the stairs leads to the main exhibition hall, where you can enjoy different styles and themes of oil paintings for free.
Address: No. 1704, New Cultural and Art Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: Free
Red Brick Art Museum
The Red Brick Art Museum is renowned for its unique red brick construction, complemented by blue bricks, creating a garden-style museum reminiscent of a mountain and water courtyard.
Some say it's the most unpretentious art museum in Beijing, with blue bricks and red tiles intertwined with creeping vines, making visitors feel as if they've arrived in Jiangnan.
The museum covers an area of approximately 9,720 square meters, including nine exhibition spaces, two public relaxation areas, and one space for art derivatives, along with supporting facilities like a multifunctional hall and a children's activity room. The circular press hall inside resembles an ancient Greek theater, exuding a sense of antiquity and solemnity, as if it were a sacred place. Strolling through the museum, you can feel the traces of history.
Artworks and space merge beautifully here, allowing us to appreciate the geometric beauty of the architecture. Every photo taken is a masterpiece, and every corner holds a special surprise.
Address: 100 meters north of the intersection of Shunbai Lu (Rd) and Maiquan Ying Xilu (Rd), Hegezhuang, Cuigezhuang Township, Chaoyang
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Admission: 150 yuan
Yori Bloom Art Center (Chaoyang Branch)
The white hall illuminated by dazzling lights is a perfect example of the harmonious blend of art and nature. The white architecture complements the surrounding greenery beautifully.
Hosting a romantic wedding here will make every moment shine with happiness, creating some of the most cherished memories of a lifetime.
Address: Inside Beijing Tangyue Film and Television Town, Dong 5 Huan (E. 5th Ring Rd)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Today Art Museum
Founded in 2002, Today Art Museum is a privately operated, non-profit art institution focused on the collection, research, and exhibition of contemporary Chinese art. Currently, it houses nearly 1,000 significant contemporary artworks.
The collection consists of three main parts: the museum's own collection, virtual collections, and donated works, encompassing pieces from nearly all notable contemporary artists. The museum also holds various exhibitions from time to time, so art enthusiasts are in for a treat!
Address: Building 4, Apple Community, No. 32 Baiziwan Lu (Rd), Chaoyang, Beijing
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Translator: NIU Lihua
Reviewer: FENG Haoxuan
