As China's art scene has grown, Beijing museums featuring the best in home-grown art and international superstars have taken over the capital.
The Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing
Established by Guy and Myriam Ullens in 2007, the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art , also called the UCCA, features Chinese contemporary art and international exhibitions. The center hosts impressive exhibitions on a grand scale. In one show, visitors walked through a winding tunnel art installation to reach the main gallery. Other shows have featured a fantasy city made from pieces of sugar, neon light installations and a giant walk-in ship. The Ullens Center for Contemporary art is located in the 798 Art District, a hotbed of modern art in northeastern Beijing.
The UCCA is open from Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. UCCA costs 15 RMB per person.
The Poly Museum Shows Ancient Chinese Art
The Poly Museum is a semi-private organization whose main mission is to bring back Chinese artifacts from abroad. Its collection includes many examples of ancient Chinese art, including stone carvings and bronzes, but the prize of Poly Museum's collection is the set of four bronze animal heads. These heads were once part of a collection of twelve decorating the Old Summer Palace, Yuan Ming Yuan, in northwestern Beijing. The bronze art pieces were stolen and transported overseas when the palace was destroyed in 1860. After many years of searching and negotiation, these animal heads were recovered and returned to China, where they can now be seen at the Poly Museum.
Visitors can check out the Poly Museum for 20 RMB from Monday through Saturday during the hours of 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
China Millennium Monument Art Museum has a Collection of Historic Chinese Art
The China Millennium Monument Art Museum, also called the China World Art Museum, is located in southern Beijing and has galleries of Eastern and Western Art from different time periods. But the most impressive feature of this museum is the circular Century Mural Hall downstairs. The hall is 38 meters in diameter and is carved with a huge mural that shows the history of Chinese civilization.
Costing 30 RMB to enter, China Millennium Monument Art Museum's hours are 8:00 AM to 6:00PM in summer and 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM in winter.
National Art Museum of China is China's Fine Art Destination
The National Art Museum of China hosts fine art exhibits, including international shows by prominent artists from around the globe. Other galleries in the museum include exhibits featuring traditional painting, lacquer, sculpture, watercolor and Chinese folk art.
Tourists can visit the National Art Museum of China Tuesdays through Sundays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Entrance fees are 20 RMB.
Today Art Museum is Beijing's Nonprofit Museum Option
As the only non-governmental, not for profit art museum in Beijing, the Today Art Museum focuses on its goal to promote Chinese contemporary art. Its collection isn’t limited to Chinese artists, though, as it does feature some international artists among its collection.
Today Art Museum is open daily from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM and costs 10 RMB to enter.
Beijing's art museums are worth the visit for a glimpse into historic and contemporary Chinese art, as well as experiencing world-class art exhibitions from international artists.
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