798

Picture this: a post-apocalyptic world filled with vacant factories, overgrown ivy, graffiti and abandoned train tracks. Now, combine this image with trendy, artsy Brooklyn. Welcome to 798 Art Zone! This area is made up of a complex of 50-year old decommissioned military factory buildings. Interestingly enough, 798 was originally an extension of the "Socialist Unification Plan" between China and the (then) Soviet Union. As if those two players aren't controversial enough, China also requested aid from Germany, who had more access to electronics and agreed to take on all architectural planning. After many disputes and setbacks (shocker), production began in 1957; however, with major societal reforms during the late 1980s, the factories became obsolete. 

Luckily, the death in military production coincided with the birth of Beijing's contemporary art scene. Beijing's Central Academy of Fine Arts ushered in this new era in 1995 and since then, 798 has blossomed into a must-see art community. Conveniently, 798 is a short bike ride away from my apartment and I frequently find myself meandering down the maze of streets, popping in and out of galleries and shops. With everything from small bookstores, to clothing boutiques, to cafes, not to mention more art galleries than fingers on your hands, you can truly spend the whole day lost in 798's eerie beauty.