Sòng Zhuāng Artists Village 宋庄画家村
通州
Part of A Better Guide to Běijīng’s coverage of Běijīng Suburbs and Beyond
Artists began to move here in the 1990s, welcomed (but overcharged) by villagers happy to have a new source of income from rents of decaying factory space. There are now said to be around 4000 artists resident here, although to some degree they keep themselves well hidden. As one gallery owner puts it, ‘Here we’re serious about art rather than serious about business.’ Wandering along factory corridors and peering into open doors will often elicit an invitation to enter, however, and many are understandably enthusiastic to show and sell their work, although here, as everywhere else, the less skilled copy the successful, and the successful frequently repaint their most popular works.
Away from the art the environment is bare and depressing, but a number of striking purpose-built galleries have also begun springing up, some with studios attached.
The bus stops outside the Rebueno Gallery (日博爱努) and close to the entrance to the Sòng Zhuāng Xiǎo Bǎo (宋莊小堡), a collection of small galleries, studios, and workshops. Further up the street the Sunshine International Museum (上上国际博物馆, www.ssmuseum.com) is a vast purpose-built gallery and studio complex. Various galleries sell maps of the area that will help you find your way to other points, such as the H. J. Y. Contemporary Art Center (和静园艺术馆, www.hejingyuan.com), Sòng Zhuāng Dōng Qū Yìshù Zhōngxīn (宋庄东区艺术中心), and the startling red brick Sòng Zhuāng Měishùguǎn (宋庄美术馆).
There was demolition and some evictions here in early 2017, and these are likely to continue. So attempt to confirm what remains before setting out.
▶ Sòng Zhuāng Huàjiā Cūn, about 30km E of central Běijīng, E of the East Sixth Ring Rd and N of the Jīnghā Expressway, www.chinasongzhuang.cn, gps 39º57’27” N, 116º42’52” E. m Guómào, then b to 鬼광撚밤끝: 808, 809 from the 大北窑 stop on the W side of Guómào Qiáo.
Galleries are mostly shut on Mondays, open but very quiet during the week, and bustling at the weekends.
There are simple local restaurants in the main streets, and one or two galleries now also have their own cafés.
Next in Běijīng Suburbs and Beyond: Other Art Zones
Previously: Big Character (story)
Main Index of A Better Guide to Beijing.
For discussion of China travel, see The Oriental-List.
