Beijing's Seven Most Instagrammable Art Museums

Tree Art Museum 树美术馆
Located in Beijing’s well-known artist village, Songzhuang, Tree Art Museum (树美术馆 shù měishù guǎn) was originally built by Daipu Architects as an ambient space where people can linger, stay, and communicate. Covering a 2,695 square meter site, there are two larger courtyards open for exhibitions and four more courtyards lying on the upper level. Visitors can enjoy the artworks and feed fish by the reflecting pool at the first courtyard. Following the natural sunlight, you will find a curving wall leading to the public stairs and the plaza on the roof of the second courtyard.

RMB 30. Tuesday-Sunday,10 am- 5pm.

Xiaobao Village, Songzhuang Town, Tongzhou District
通州区宋庄镇小堡村

(010) 8951 6204

Chinese Academy of Oil Painting 中国油画院
This small white church recently changed from an academic institution to one of the most popular places in Beijing for wedding photoshoots. Founded in 2007, the Chinese Academy of Oil Painting (中国油画院 zhōngguó yóuhuà yuàn) is a rather small museum compared to some of the behemoths featured on this list, but like a David among Goliaths, the Chinese Academy of Oil Painting stands out in its grand simplicity. If you are seeking tranquility while marveling at the beautiful realism of oil paintings, then the Chinese Academy of Oil Painting is a must-see.

Free. Daily, 9am-4.30pm.

1704 New Culture and Art Street, Gaobeidian, Chaoyang District
朝阳区高碑店文化艺术新街1704号院中国油画院

(010) 8773 9533

Luohong Art Museum 罗红摄影艺术馆
Upon entering this museum, guests are greeted with a sign that reads, "From the beauty of nature, for the beauty of nature," a quote that perfectly exemplifies this venue. Luohong Art Museum's (罗红摄影艺术馆 luōhóng shèyǐng yìshù guǎn) exhibitions feature stunning photographs of landscapes, animals, and the natural beauty of the world from incredibly gifted photographers. Not only are the photos inside amazing, but you can take some shots of your own of the museum's picturesque pond clustered with rocks and perfectly trimmed trees right outside the on-site café.

RMB 100. Daily, 9am-8pm.

200m left of the Yanglin Avenue Exit, Beijing Shunyi Airport Expressway, Shunyi District
顺义区顺义机场高速杨林大道出口200米左侧

400 700 1399 

The Post Mountain 后山艺术空间
The Post Mountain (后山艺术空间 hòu shān yìshù kōngjiān) is a multimedia art space and live music venue designed by Steven Holl, a professor at Columbia University in New York. The center has a modern industrial aesthetic with an aura of creative imagination that makes for an impressive site for the creative arts. With an area of 2,000 square meters, Post Mountain is divided into two parts: a "meditation" space for theater and a "bamboo" space for art. Situated inside the Third Ring Road in Chaoyang District, the Post Mountain is one of downtown's quirkier venues.

Free. Daily, 10.30-6.30pm.

Moma North T8, 1 Xiangheyuan Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区香河园路1号当代MOMA北区T8楼北

Three Shadows Photography Art Centre 三影堂摄影艺术中心
If you are looking for a museum that boasts a collection of the works of some of the finest photographers of the modern era, then look no further than Three Shadows Photography Art Center (三影堂摄影艺术中心 sān yǐng táng shèyǐng yìshù zhōngxīn), located just north of 798 in Caochangdi Art District. Three Shadows is China's first independent organization that specializes in contemporary art photography. In addition to featuring award-winning exhibitions, Three Shadows also hosts fairs, workshops, and talks throughout the year. The building itself is designed by renowned artist and architect Ai Weiwei and highlights the serene calm and complex emotions evoked by the photos inside.

RMB 60. Tuesday-Sunday,10am-6pm.

155A Caochangdi, Chaoyang District
朝阳区草场地155A号

(010) 6432 2663

Guardian Art Center 嘉德艺术中心
Located in the Wangfujing area, across from the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC), and near the Forbidden City, Guardian Art Center (嘉德艺术中心 jiādé yìshù zhōngxīn) was designed by Germany's Büro Ole Scheeren, who also designed the CCTV Headquarters, otherwise known as the "Big Pants." As both an art space and an artwork itself, the Guardian Art Center stands assured in its awareness and understanding of culture, history, and tradition.

RMB 60. Tuesday-Sunday,10am-6pm.

1 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District
东城区王府井大街1号

(010) 8592 8266

Minsheng Art Museum 民生现代美术馆
Opened to the public in 2015, Beijing Minsheng Art Museum (民生现代美术馆 mínshēng xiàndài měishù guǎn) was created based on a study of Chinese modern and contemporary art. The museum hopes to objectively represent the history of Chinese contemporary art, promote young artists, and communicate with international contemporary art institutions to shape a new atmosphere for China's art ecosystem. With a stunning and modern building that reflects much of the artwork inside, the Minsheng Art Museum is a spectacle both inside and out.

Free. Tuesday- Sunday, 10am-5pm.

Hengtong International Innovation Park, 9 Jiuxianqiao Beilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区酒仙桥北路9号恒通国际创新园

(010) 5323 2111