I have been to 789 twice, in 2014 and 2017. It had become too touristy even back in 2017. During my second visit, a friend of mine, an artist, told me that the true artist had moved out by then.
i went to 798 in 2017-2018 and found it to be thriving and fun. tons of people, unique, intimate shops, novel artwork. one of these trips was to see the picasso exhibit - spectacular. my friend’s dad owned the persian rug shop, and we went over a few times for tea and nibbles, an excellent time.
as you noted, going back after covid revealed a stark contrast: everything got more expensive, commercial chain stores took over real estate, and the art appeared to be suffering. there’s a cool reptile house now, but it costs 200 kuai to get in. a glorified zoo reptile house for 10 times the price!
this is a problem i’ve noticed everywhere nowadays; everything has gone commercial. a trip to a famous mountain? you better believe there is a KFC and starbucks (and luckin) at the foot. an experience of pure, unadulterated nature? the path up is paved. there are gimmicky little bridges and pathways added for the perfect picture to snap, post, and forget. it’s not the nature, not the art, it’s the “experience,” which is becoming increasingly fabricated.
It sure was a different vibe and a lot of fun in 2017. We might have been walking around at the same time! The persian rug store is really cool and still the same as remembered.
Covid changed a lot for China, everywhere of course, but the effects on China mark a kind of line between one period ending and another beginning, all the way from the individual to the country. It won't be forgotten and will take decades to reveal all the truths.
I sympathize with the feeling that a simplicity is being lost, particularly in an extreme case like 798. The difference between something with history and import is immediately discernible from the new places that were built with selfies in mind. I appreciate the "KFC" sometime, and the steps, getting older leads me to appreciate those things more, but it puts more requirement on us to see past the new.🙏
i suppose the paved paths and steps are good for accessibility - hadn’t considered that angle! this is especially true when the massive travel groups are primarily older people. in the end, it’s better that they can go than the place being “untouched.”
it’s probably because i, too, am from the midwest. as a kid, nature was the fun. it was specifically about getting dirty and exploring. i’ve been to a few places where there is a playground, hot dog stands, etc. that give the county fair vibe. my mind is in “let’s explore nature” mode, while everyone else seems to be “let’s have a fun day out.”
tourism seems like it will explode, especially with the massive savings everyone’s got. other industries might suffer, but there will still be cash moving.
Sorry if we've talked about this before! Arcadia, around LaCrosse, for me. Known for most bars per population, I believe? Also the furniture factory and the chicken plant. 😂
I do think you are right about the tourism boom. Deflation makes local entertainment more attractive, and the cities are keen to explore less populated areas.
no way! i had a couple friends who went to winona for school, another who went to eau claire. i’m a madison boy, though mostly grew up in surrounding small towns. what a coincidence!
I remember reading a piece from you about this district, the photos of the art you took caught my attention. It’s sad hearing about these changes. I wonder if we can ever have growth in upcoming areas without inflating prices and monetizing everything for profit, maybe the two are too intertwined.
Thank you, the 🐧 was our oldest son's choice, it always makes me laugh. What happened to 798 is a cycle, or like a wave of energy that passes through before going somewhere else. I just don't know where that energy of young artists has gone.
I loved that you shared all these photographs with us. I also really love murals. It is unfortunate that it has gone corporate as you wrote. I wish it was more what it originally was.
Thank you, Zail, I do so like public art like graffiti. You know, the artists that we remember have moved somewhere I'm just not aware of, well actually, they've surely aged out of that period but there will always be new artists trying new things. The many foreign galleries that were here, now that has probably changed in China for good.🙏
I have been to 789 twice, in 2014 and 2017. It had become too touristy even back in 2017. During my second visit, a friend of mine, an artist, told me that the true artist had moved out by then.
I hope you still had a good time, as we did. Yep, things are always in motion. 🙏
omg the street art is awesome 🤩 That dragon is stunning! Thanks for sharing Paul :) It's so fun experiencing these digital trips
💖 I knew you would like that🙏 🙂💐 Thank you, Breanna, hope the week is going super!
I’m having a good week this week :) hope your week is going well too!!
i was just here last year! what a nice surprise to see this post pop up on my feed, it felt like i was taking a trip down memory lane :)))
I’m so glad! ☺️🙏You had a good visit.
i went to 798 in 2017-2018 and found it to be thriving and fun. tons of people, unique, intimate shops, novel artwork. one of these trips was to see the picasso exhibit - spectacular. my friend’s dad owned the persian rug shop, and we went over a few times for tea and nibbles, an excellent time.
as you noted, going back after covid revealed a stark contrast: everything got more expensive, commercial chain stores took over real estate, and the art appeared to be suffering. there’s a cool reptile house now, but it costs 200 kuai to get in. a glorified zoo reptile house for 10 times the price!
this is a problem i’ve noticed everywhere nowadays; everything has gone commercial. a trip to a famous mountain? you better believe there is a KFC and starbucks (and luckin) at the foot. an experience of pure, unadulterated nature? the path up is paved. there are gimmicky little bridges and pathways added for the perfect picture to snap, post, and forget. it’s not the nature, not the art, it’s the “experience,” which is becoming increasingly fabricated.
It sure was a different vibe and a lot of fun in 2017. We might have been walking around at the same time! The persian rug store is really cool and still the same as remembered.
Covid changed a lot for China, everywhere of course, but the effects on China mark a kind of line between one period ending and another beginning, all the way from the individual to the country. It won't be forgotten and will take decades to reveal all the truths.
I sympathize with the feeling that a simplicity is being lost, particularly in an extreme case like 798. The difference between something with history and import is immediately discernible from the new places that were built with selfies in mind. I appreciate the "KFC" sometime, and the steps, getting older leads me to appreciate those things more, but it puts more requirement on us to see past the new.🙏
i suppose the paved paths and steps are good for accessibility - hadn’t considered that angle! this is especially true when the massive travel groups are primarily older people. in the end, it’s better that they can go than the place being “untouched.”
it’s probably because i, too, am from the midwest. as a kid, nature was the fun. it was specifically about getting dirty and exploring. i’ve been to a few places where there is a playground, hot dog stands, etc. that give the county fair vibe. my mind is in “let’s explore nature” mode, while everyone else seems to be “let’s have a fun day out.”
The Midwest?! Salutations! Yep, we played and worked in the dirt. I think we grew everything we ate.
China is going to 50% older folks in not too long, that is going to change a lot. Could be very good for local tourism.
wisconsin born and raised! love my beer.
tourism seems like it will explode, especially with the massive savings everyone’s got. other industries might suffer, but there will still be cash moving.
Sorry if we've talked about this before! Arcadia, around LaCrosse, for me. Known for most bars per population, I believe? Also the furniture factory and the chicken plant. 😂
I do think you are right about the tourism boom. Deflation makes local entertainment more attractive, and the cities are keen to explore less populated areas.
no way! i had a couple friends who went to winona for school, another who went to eau claire. i’m a madison boy, though mostly grew up in surrounding small towns. what a coincidence!
Love the pins! Especially the penguino— 🐧🌹✨
I remember reading a piece from you about this district, the photos of the art you took caught my attention. It’s sad hearing about these changes. I wonder if we can ever have growth in upcoming areas without inflating prices and monetizing everything for profit, maybe the two are too intertwined.
Thank you, the 🐧 was our oldest son's choice, it always makes me laugh. What happened to 798 is a cycle, or like a wave of energy that passes through before going somewhere else. I just don't know where that energy of young artists has gone.
I loved that you shared all these photographs with us. I also really love murals. It is unfortunate that it has gone corporate as you wrote. I wish it was more what it originally was.
Thank you, Zail, I do so like public art like graffiti. You know, the artists that we remember have moved somewhere I'm just not aware of, well actually, they've surely aged out of that period but there will always be new artists trying new things. The many foreign galleries that were here, now that has probably changed in China for good.🙏