the artsy kind of beijing – 798 district

Finally we’ve visited Beijing’s famous 798 art district, but on the other hand we managed to pick the first cold and a bit rainy ray of the autumn. This area used to be an industrial one, until it was transformed into a hip artistic district filled with art galleries, little shops, cafes and wine bars – quite rare I think as Chinese has a tendency just to tear everything down every 10 years and rebuilt it all again.

This was a mother-daughter day out with some friends of hours, and we still had a good time despite feeling chilly (or half-frozen until one starts to get used to the cooler climate and dress better for the weather…) – then again it was a good excuse for a glass of wine, hot chocolate and cakes. Now, I just have to mention that there must a special sixth sense calling me towards all things Finnish, as we stumbled upon a Finnish-Chinese art collaboration – and it was on its last weekend too. No matter where I am, I normally managed to spot my natives – and since there are only 5.4 million Finns there shouldn’t be that many out and about!

welcome to 798

The area is like a labyrinth with courtyards and lots of little roads

Art cafes in 798 district

Lots of modern art cafes to visit in the 798 art district – and lovely art too

interesting stores

Specialty stores – this was all about skulls. Funky decor though with crosses and bejeweled skulls

the authentic industrial feel

There is plenty of the “authentic industrial feel” left in the area

Looks very Finnish

Oh look, those birches and cookie cutters on the wall look very Finnish…

Finland meets China in glass art

Finland meets China in glass art. My friends said it was such a white space. “Just like Finnish homes” was my reply. Yes, decorating up north is normally done using white everywhere…

funky hot chocolate deserves a silly fave

Finally warm! Miss A making silly faces to the most unsual-looking, layered hot chocolate

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