02 · GALLERY
Five frames.
Two hours north-east of Beijing the road climbs into the Yan mountains and the Chapel of Sound rises from a valley like a meteor that landed and cooled. Open Architecture's Li Hu cast the building from pebble-aggregate concrete, the surface rough and red-warm. The roof has a wide oval opening to the sky. The lower volume is the concert hall, a 240-seat amphitheatre cut into the cliff. The structure is half open, so the wind, the rain, the bird call from the surrounding ravine become part of every performance. You sit on tiered concrete. You watch the weather come in across the mountains. The music is half background to the building.
Programme is sparse and bookings sell fast. The architecture-only visits without a concert booked are worth the trip independently.
One of the most architecturally beautiful concert venues built this century. Pure 'beautiful music in a beautiful place'.
Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) for the clearest valley light. The annual scheduled concert programme is sparse; architecture-only daytime visits are the safer bet for travellers. Check Open Architecture's news for next event.
Daily 10:00 to 17:00 for self-guided architectural visits (booking ahead recommended). Programmed concerts irregular, typically a handful per year.
Drive from Beijing 2 hours north-east via G45 expressway to Chengde area, then local roads into the Jinshanling-Chengde valley. The structure sits in the Liushui Yu valley, signed from the local highway. Private driver from Beijing recommended.