Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Red Gate Gallery
红门画廊
, hóngmén huàláng • Dongbianmen watchtower, Chongwenmen Dongdajie • Daily 10am-5pm • Free
• 010 65251005,
redgategallery.com
• Jianguomen subway (lines 1 & 2)
Housed within one of the last remnants of the old city wall, the Western-run
Red Gate
Gallery
opened up in 1991, in the process becoming Beijing's first private contemporary gal-
lery. However, the curators have steadfastly refused to rest on their laurels, and their venue
remains a little more adventurous than its city-centre competition; a continuous procession of
cutting-edge Chinese work has cultivated a good reputation overseas.
Ming Dynasty Wall Relics Park
明城墙遗址公园
, míngchéngqiáng yízhĭ gōngyuán • Off Chongwenmen Dongdajie • Daily 8am-5pm •
￥
10 •
Chongwenmen or Beijing Railway Station subway (both line 2)
Rising up above Beijing's main train station is the last remaining section of the city's old
wall, which now forms part of the
Ming Dynasty Wall Relics Park
. The skinny stretch of
parkland is a grand place to be in the spring, when blossom bursts from its many plum and
cherry trees, but the wall itself makes for a fine diversion at any time of year. From its up-
permost vantage points, you can peer down to see trains coursing in and out of the railway
station; also make time to ascend the main tower, whose innards are a temple-like feast of
vermillion-painted columns.
Today Art Museum
今日美术馆
, jīnrì měishùguǎn • Building 4, Pingod Community, 32 Baiziwan Lu • Daily 10am-5pm • Free •
010 58621100,
todayartmuseum.com
• Shuangjing subway (line 4)
Housed in an abandoned brewery, the
Today Art Museum
was the first not-for-profit
privately owned gallery in the city. They focus on promoting contemporary Chinese art,
though each year sees a few top-notch exhibitions roped in from overseas.
