798 Zone is something special in Beijing. Today this is an art zone, which comprises a complex of 50-year old decommissioned military factory buildings boasting a unique architectural style. Actually, this factory complex began as an extension of the “Socialist Unification Plan” of military-industrial cooperation between the Soviet Union and the newly formed People’s Republic of China. However, the soviets backed out and recommended east Germany to help China produce technology equipment in this factory. he architectural plans were left to the Germans, who chose a functional Bauhaus-influenced design over the more ornamental Soviet style, triggering the first of many disputes between the German and Russian consultants on the project. Construction began in 1954 and the Joint Factory 718 began production in 1957. The factory quickly established a reputation for itself as one of the best in China and employed up to 20.000 employees. After 10 years of operation, Joint Factory 718 was split into more manageable components, such as sub-Factories 706, 707, 751, 761, 797 and 798. Its decline began in 1980s, when government reduced its support. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, most sub-factories had ceased production, and most workers have been laid off. Seven-Star Group was established to manage rental of the empty factory.

In 1995, Beijing’s Central Academy of Fine Arts, looking for cheap, ample workshop space away from downtown, set up in the now defunct Factory 706. The temporary move became permanent and in 2000 Sui Jianguo, Dean of the Department of Sculpture, located his own studio in the area. The cluttered sculpture workshops have always remained open for visitors to peek at the dozens of workers milling about.

Through word-of-mouth, artists and designers started trickling in, attracted to the vast cathedral-like spaces. The district’s popularity has exploded since the opening of BTAP and 798 Space in 2002, with scores of galleries, lofts, publishing firms, design companies, high-end tailor shops, and cafés and fancy restaurants setting up.

However, this didn’t go well with Seven-Star Group. which eventually tried to evict all tenants. However, the area already gained certain popularity and by the But by the end of 2007 it was decided that the area would continue in its current format of a special art zone.

Today the area is thriving and really worth a visit.

(from Wikipedia)