Asian Art Museum Of San Francisco

Maybe you can tell from my subcontinental photo icon that accompanies these posts, I have a taste for that which is Asian. Yeah, I took that picture. In India. Of course, you can randomly point a camera anywhere in India and you'll probably get an image like that. Which speaks to the fact that once you've been to a place like India, you're not going to be easily impressed by typical Asian art museum collections, because what they have is usually the same rubble you see lying by the side of the road, or in any two-bit 1000 year old temple you see all over the place. Our Asian Art Museum rises above, with an unbelievable amount of masterpieces for one museum. That's the thing for me – they don't just have a bunch of old stuff, but they have the old stuff that are actual masterworks of art. more

I really enjoy visiting the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. Sure the parking is very hard, but it is well worth it. I always enjoy their exhibits, especially all of their sculptures. They always have feature events which I like because its not the same mundane thing that you would see at a museum. Very interesting and very worth visiting. more

I visited for the first time last year, loved it, and wouldn't hesitate to go back again. When I was there, they had a special Thai dance performance and that was a really neat addition to the experience. The museum has a beautiful display of jade carvings as well as historic and modern works of art, pottery, etc, from all over Asia. I really enjoyed seeing an exhibit on Korean art, as this was very new to me. Most recently there was an exhibit on Tibetan art, which I heard was phenomenal. They also have a few activities for children (and adults!), where you can create your own mini art pieces, and such. The gift shop is fabulous and the cafe isn't bad either. more

The upper two floors are of the Asian Art Museum are reserved for the permanent collections. These collections showcase pieces from China, Japan, Korea, India, Indonesia and Bhutan to name a few countries. It baffles the mind to think that there are pieces that have dated back over 3000 years! That’s not a typo- that’s 3, followed by three zeros. The collection is quite extensive and may require one hour to a few days, depending on the rate you walk and how many times you get lost and end up backtracking. Perhaps we just saw too many buddhas and they all began to look the same, but the layout of the museum is not very straightforward and the little map of the museum comes in quite handy. The Asian Art museum has something for the sinophile and/or for the art admirer. Go to be in awe of the works of contemporary Chinese sculptor Sui Jianguo. Or witness the former splendor and grandeur of an ancient kingdom of Thailand. Wander the halls of the permanent collections and see how the interpretations of what Buddha looks like changes depending on which region of Asia it is from. Contrast the different relics of various periods of the same country or compare the similarities among the various neighboring Asian countries and see how they influenced one another. Or go to buy a kitschy wind-up watch with a face that has Mao, waving to the masses (yes, his hand actually moves back and forth! Well, as look as it is not broken). Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 on Thursday after 5pm, or free every first Tuesday of the month. more

Since I am Chinese, I expect asian museums to boast something unique and not for the average Westener to understand. There is no better place for an Asian Art Museum than in San Francisco. This month's display is all about Tibet and has a wide collection of Tibetan art including vases, beautiful coper displays of Buddists gods and so forth. There is also a current film series about Tibet and Tibetan monks which only airs on certain days. This place is great for tourists who know nothing about Asian culture and should learn more coming to the City. There are plenty of workshops, and performances to catch. Don't miss the City staple- you will learn more than you think! more

The Asian Art museum is a great place to visit, especially since it's been recently renovated. The artwork and exhibits are beautiful, and there is so much to learn from them. This would be a great place for a field trip, date, or outing with the family. Parking might be a little tough though. more

My parents went here for a formal event and came back exclaiming how good it was. It features quite an extensive collection, and tickets can be bought on line. Right now they're exhibiting artifacts from Tibet, which is a rare chance for westerners to see some authentic Asian sculptures and paintings. Go there and feel cultured. more

The Asian Art Museum is a great place to be! You can be a tourist or a local, old or young, with family or friends or byself, the Asian Art Museum with leave you satisfied with all the cool and wonderful exhibits there are and all the history and art behind all the showcases. You will have a great time and learn a lot while you're at it! more

The Asian Art Museum, located in the gorgeous city of San Francisco, is an educational treat!! If you have an interest in Asian culture and artwork, look no further!! You can view items that are thousands of years old.....take a trip through time, and see the rise and fall of many dynasties. It is most appropriate for school aged children through adult. The Asian Art Museum is located close to other museums and Golden Gate park. It's a must see for Asian art lovers!! more

This museum is free on wednesday. It has a lot of viewing booths for people who want to look at cool and rare artifacts. The viewing booths are nice and quiet so if you need to concentrate you can. The place is a nice sophistcated style setting so everyone is respectable. The staff is great and very helpful when you are trying to find something in particular, I would love to visit this place again. more

I grew up in the Sunset area and alot of Asaian Americans live in this area. I was not able to learn too much about Asain art in school, so this compensted for my lack of knowledge. I love the art exhibits that they have. i also love when the feature certain works from certain areas. And of course, if you can not afford to go, it is free the 1st Wednesday of every month. Its well worth it even to pay! more

I went to the Asian Art Museum when they had the Geisha exhibit. The art was fantastic and very captivating. The admission fee is reasonable, and they might let you in free if you are a student. The museum is very nicely kept and there is an aura of fanciness in there. The tour guides are also very helpful if you have questions about the art. more

This is one of my favorite museums in SF. It has a good selection of Hindu and Budhhist artifacts. Also houses a good amount of Asian and Oriental arts, with rotating exhibits. If you want to visit one museum while in SF, do yourself a favor and come here. more