798 Art District graffitiATTENTION EDITORS : This advisory is followed by a 17 picture feature package on graffiti displayed on the walls of the former machine tool factory that nows shares its run down facilities with the 798 Art District of Beijing , China . Graffiti is rare in China but in permitted areas such as this collection of dozens of galleries and workshop free rein is allowed with colourful and unexpected results . Originally built in 1959 as a state - owned factory creating military electronics , the 798 Art District , or Dashanzi Art District , was mostly abandoned until less than a decade ago when aspiring artists began renting spaces ahead of China ' s burgeoning art market . The 798 Space has now over 100 galleries featuring Chinese and international artists , as well as restaurants , cafes and bookshops . An increasing number of artists have moved away as a result of surging rental fees . EPA / ADRIAN BRADSHAW < 실시간 뉴스 가 당신 의 손안 으로 . . 연합뉴스 폰 > < 포토 매거진 >< 저작권자 ( c ) 연합뉴스 . 무단 전재 - 재배 포금 지 . >