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The Central Academy of Fine Arts Art Museum is located in the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Chaoyang District, Beijing. It consists of three parts: the new building of the Central Academy of Fine Arts Art Museum, the gypsum exhibition hall and the teaching exhibition hall. The new building of the art museum is in the shape of a three-dimensional boomerang, composed of three free and irregular curved surfaces. The exhibition hall covers an area of more than 6,000 square meters, covering exhibition display, collection restoration, academic research and public education.
The museum currently has a collection of about 13,000 pieces, mainly including classic originals and copies of foreign oil painting masters, Chinese sculptures and paintings from the Han, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, representative works of modern and contemporary famous artists, and outstanding works of graduates since the establishment of the academy.
The sculptures in the Central Academy of Fine Arts' plaster exhibition hall were mainly purchased from the Florence Academy of Fine Arts in Italy and the Louvre Museum in France, and some were donated by His Royal Highness the Prince and his wife of Denmark. There are more than 40 exhibits in the exhibition hall, including the ancient Greek "Statue of Victory", "Relief Ornament of the Parthenon", "Statue of Apollo in the Hall of Good View", etc.
Attraction Location: "No. 8 Huayuan North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China (北京市朝阳区花园北路8号)"
History: Established in 2008, CAFA Art Museum is the official museum of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. It focuses on showcasing contemporary Chinese art, student exhibitions, and international art collaborations. It is one of the key contemporary art institutions in Beijing.
Architecture: The museum building is modern, with spacious galleries, high ceilings, and natural lighting that emphasizes art display. Its design integrates contemporary minimalist elements with subtle references to traditional Chinese aesthetics.
Cultural Value: CAFA Art Museum is a hub for contemporary art in China. It preserves and exhibits important works by Chinese artists and encourages dialogue between traditional and modern art. It contributes significantly to Beijing’s art scene and academic research in fine arts.
Other Information: The museum hosts rotating exhibitions, art lectures, workshops, and special student showcases. It’s highly educational and recommended for art enthusiasts, scholars, and students.
Opening Hours: "10:00 – 18:00 daily (closed Mondays, except public holidays)"
Contact Number: "+86 10 6429 8228"
Ticket Price: "Standard Admission: 30 CNY
Special Exhibition: 50–100 CNY
Student Discount: 20 CNY"
Best Photo Spots: Main entrance atrium, large-scale exhibition halls, outdoor sculpture garden, gallery interiors
Time Reference: 1.5–2 hours for museum visit; 3–4 hours if attending multiple exhibitions and workshops
Other Information: Some exhibitions may restrict photography. Guided tours or museum audio guides are available in Chinese, and limited English guidance may be offered. Check the schedule for special exhibitions.
Luxury: Park Hyatt Beijing (北京柏悦酒店) – 15 min drive
Grand Millennium Beijing (北京千禧大酒店) – 12 min drive
Mid-range: Soluxe Hotel Beijing (北京索洛酒店) – 10 min drive
Somerset Grand Fortune Garden Beijing (北京盛捷金色年华服务公寓) – 12 min drive
Budget & Boutique: 365 Inn Beijing (北京365旅馆) – 15 min drive
Beijing Downtown Travelotel (北京东城旅舍) – 18 min drive
Must-Try Dishes: Peking Duck (北京烤鸭)
Dim Sum (点心)
Artisan Coffee & Desserts in museum café
Famous Spots: CAFA Museum Café (美术馆咖啡厅) – light meals and beverages
TRB Hutong (TRB 胡同餐厅) – 15 min drive, fine dining
Quanjude Roast Duck (全聚德烤鸭店) – 10 min drive
1-Day Route: D1: CAFA Art Museum → CAFA campus → 798 Art Zone (798艺术区) → Lunch at museum café or nearby
Transportation: Walk within campus; taxi to 798 Art Zone
2-Day Route: D1: CAFA Art Museum → CAFA campus exhibitions → 798 Art Zone → Dinner at Quanjude Roast Duck (全聚德烤鸭店)
D2: National Art Museum of China → Chaoyang Park → Coffee & shopping
Transportation: Taxi or subway between distant points
3-Day Route: D1: CAFA Art Museum → 798 Art Zone
D2: Central Academy of Fine Arts campus tour → Art workshops → Museum café lunch
D3: National Art Museum of China → Chaoyang Park → Departure
Transportation: Taxi and subway as needed
The new campus of the Central Academy of Fine Arts is the same as Peking University. You can't enter without a student card. The ticket to the art museum is 20 yuan, but there are a lot of people inside. 😂 Maybe they all climbed over the wall to get in.
There is a graduation design exhibition every year during graduation season, with many very lovely works.
There will be professional exhibitions. Tickets to the graduation exhibition in June every year are free, and that is when the most people come.
During my stay in Beijing, I happened to come across the Central Academy of Fine Arts' graduate exhibition. I had heard of the fame of CAFA's graduation exhibition, so I came to appreciate it this time. Although I don't need to go into details, it takes about two hours to visit the entire exhibition. From paintings to installation art, every work is very interesting.
The exhibition is free, but there are indeed a lot of people. Parking is inconvenient around the school, and outside vehicles are not allowed to enter the school.
The exhibition is divided into three floors. The first floor is architecture and gouache, the second floor is sculpture and Chinese painting, and the third floor is oil painting and soft brush calligraphy.
You need to leave at least 3-4 hours for the children to have enough time to play. In front of some works, you don’t want to leave at all.
The second floor is especially popular with children, as it is filled with sculptures that open up their imaginations
There are some designs on the third floor that I don't understand. Now many works combine sound, light, and AR. I didn't take any photos, but it was a magical experience.
There are exactly two exhibitions.
The exhibition hall on the second floor is the "Germany 8" exhibition series - Rules of Art: German Contemporary Art, celebrating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany and showcasing the artistic creations of 17 German artists.
The third-floor exhibition hall is designed by Weingart. “This exhibition is a collaboration between CAFA Art Museum and Zurich Design Museum. It is the first and most complete introduction of Wolfgang Weingart’s design works in mainland China.”
I was reluctant to leave the museum because one afternoon was too short to appreciate all the artworks carefully. CAFA holds such a high status in my heart that even the tables and chairs downstairs in the museum look very beautiful under the light and shadow.
I happened to see an exhibition of handmade books, so I had the opportunity to visit the Academy of Fine Arts, which was a great experience.
This art museum is very close to Sanlitun and the National Exhibition Center.
There are few people and a unique niche exhibition hall. It is convenient to go to Wangjing or Sanlitun after the exhibition. At the same time, you can walk to the One Way Bookstore~
I came here to see the Qingzhou statues. I haven't seen the regular exhibition yet. There is a discount for students with student ID cards.
The annual graduation exhibition is worth going to. The works of each department are very good. It is around the end of June. Highly recommended! !
I went there together with 798, which is also a recommended place for literary young people. The exhibition is great!
The Art Palace is located in Wangjing, and can be reached by bus. We went to see an exhibition, I remember it was called Paper Art, and the ticket price was 10 yuan. The exhibition was full of art, with a sense of design and visual impact. After watching the exhibition, I walked around the college, and every corner of the college was filled with artistic cells. The most eye-catching thing was a wooden boat, which seemed uncarved and placed there casually, but it was very impressive~~~
After the walk, we had dinner across the street from the college. There were a row of restaurants there, and they all looked clean. I guess students from the college would frequent them.
A must-visit place for those who love art. Students on the road of art are better than the previous generation, and there are always surprises in front of you.
I think anyone in Beijing can come here for a stroll if they have nothing to do. There are often exhibitions here, and every year the works of graduates from the Central Academy of Fine Arts are worth seeing, with many excellent works.
To see the exhibition once, it costs 10 yuan for students and 15 yuan for adults.
The CAFA designed by Arata Isozaki looks very unique, with twisted space, simple materials, and a changing and smooth interior feel.
CAFA is alive. As an exhibition hall, CAFA Art Museum completely breaks the box-like layout. For an art academy that emphasizes innovation, nothing is more important than breaking the rules.
The atmosphere of the whole university is super good. There are always exhibitions and the buildings are beautiful. When I was visiting, I kept sighing that if I hadn't been so playful when I was a child, I would have learned to paint. TAT My holy place
The CAFA Art Museum regularly holds exhibitions, some of which are treasures imported from abroad and others are student works.
I've seen it twice. The first time was at the Renaissance treasures exhibition at the Louvre in Paris. It was so amazing. I was really shocked.
Another time, some paintings from the Uffizi Museum in Italy
It's quite eye-opening and informative, but the sad thing is that you can't take pictures -0- Alas. .
The paintings of the students' works are all of high quality, and the designs are all unique and eye-catching.
If you like art, don't miss this place
Booking tickets online is the same as buying tickets on site. They are all at the entrance. It is a small place, so even if you queue up, it won't be too long. I went there to see the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition. The 17 paintings were restored with high-definition restoration technology. The ticket price is 120 yuan, half price for students, and free for those over 60 years old. If you are not a true lover, you will think it is expensive. I should have checked the exhibition information before going. It would be better to go a day earlier. Two exhibitions have been withdrawn. But I went there just for Leonardo da Vinci, so I didn't regret it.