Songxianqiao Curio Art City 送仙桥古玩艺术城
Songxianqiao Art City is near several of Chengdu’s other attractions – Qingyang Temple, Dufu’s Cottage, Huanhuaxi park, the Provincial Museum – though isn’t really worth a visit on its own anymore.
What before was an area with plenty of artists studios, galleries and antiques, it now is rather dead. It’s still a good place to buy scrolls, coins, and tons of low quality Tibetan stuff. Peaceful location by the river though.
There were several buildings joined by walkways through the upper levels, which are full of galleries, working artists’ lofts, and framing shops. In the painters’ section, the smell of oil paints will envelope you as you climb the stairs, and you can watch the artists at work. On the weekends there may be kids at their art lessons, drawing vases or fruit. With a few exceptions, much of the painting focuses on traditional Chinese subjects such as village scenes, pandas and tigers, fish, “mountain and water” landscapes, and four season sets. For a couple hundred RMB (and up) you can get a portrait done, or a landscape copied from a picture, or have a calligrapher write out your favorite Tang poem in beautiful characters.
Adress: 24 North Huanhua Rd. 浣花北路24号
Tel.: 87363906, 87362963
