Beijing's modern art industry has burgeoned in the past decade to become one of the world's most exciting new scenes. It began with a cluster of young artists who set up camp in the abandoned workshops of a military electronics complex on the fringes of the city, which became the 798 Art District.

Today, Songzhuang Artists Community and Jiuchang International Art Community join 798, or Dashanzi, as hubs where creative types live and work, showing their pieces at galleries to visitors from around the world.

A number of agencies organize guided tours through these areas, stopping at various galleries and giving visitors the opportunity to interact with artists and buy works to take home.

Should you choose to make your own tour, 798 is a good place to start, with its warren of contemporary art galleries, studios and cafes. Located in Dashanzi area, Chaoyang District, northeastern Beijing. The area was once home to the electronic industries, housing buildings constructed with help from the old Soviet Union and designed by the former East Germany experts. This was part of the history of New China's industrialization.

As Beijing's economy developed and the structure of industry changed, the initial mission of the 798 District was largely forgotten. The industrial area became desolate as businesses moved out, but the factories were left behind.

Artists' studios began opening up in the district. Properties were mostly rented and new life and light has been created in these once hollow, unused buildings. They were gradually turned into a combination of galleries, art centers, studios, design companies, fashion stores and bars. The district has become the biggest arts area in China and earned great international acclaim in a span of just two years. Jiuchang Art Complex, or Brewery Factory International Art Community is a newly rising art area in Beijing. It has developed since 2005 from the Chaoyang Brewery Factory, built in 1975. The factory is located just off the Wangjing expressway, close to the Central Academy of Fine Arts. Inside, a dusty thoroughfare bisects the compound. Within the complex there are several local and international galleries together with almost 100 studios.

Though it's all one factory, Jiuchang comprises a number of small brick buildings. On the inside, it's pipe-free and freshly painted. Large outdoor sculptures line the main road, alongside an artificial lake. The lake features glass exhibition spaces that are reached via a stone path. Arario Beijing, a branch of Arario in Korea, comprises five buildings with a total floor space of 3,000 square meters. Three of Arario's gallery spaces are dedicated solely to contemporary art exhibitions.

Another new contemporary art district in northeast Beijing is the Caochangdi area, close to 798. It is a district that hosts national and international artists, arts organizations, galleries and design studios.

Songzhuang Art Community, a serene artists' village to the east of Beijing, Tongzhou District, also deserves attention. The community houses up-and-coming artists who live and work in rustic studios. They guide you through their homes and the main, onsite gallery shows avant-garde solo and group exhibitions. The managers organize picnics, barbecues and fruit-picking on the grounds when the weather and season permit.

The Songzhuang Art Community was established in 2003 in Songzhuang painter village of Beijing. It was transformed by Songzhuang supply and marketing cooperative, with an exhibition hall area of 400 square meters plus artist studios.

Editor: Dong Jirong