Red Gate Gallery

The Red Gate Gallery sits in one of the capital’s few remaining Ming Dynasty Watchtowers that used to be part of the old city walls (most were destroyed by Mao Zedong to make way for a series of ring roads). Founded in 1991 by Australian Brian Wallace – who studied Chinese Art History at Beijing’s Central Academy of Fine Arts – it frequently displays some of the most interesting Chinese contemporary art on offer. (A residency program also helps support international and local artists). The Gallery sadly has little else of interest nearby -- but for those interested in art it is worth an out of the way visit for both the cutting-edge works on display and the extraordinary location.