Asian Art Museum of San Francisco 🇺🇸

The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco – Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture offers a profound journey through thousands of years of creativity. Situated in a historic 1917 Beaux-Arts building opposite the San Francisco Civic Center, this museum houses one of the world's largest and most extensive permanent collections of Asian art, holding more than 20,000 objects. Visitors can explore vibrant galleries representing China, Korea, Japan, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Himalayas, Iran, and Central Asia, showcasing regularly rotating displays of over 2,000 items.

Some pieces in this remarkable collection are as much as 6,000 years old. Beyond ancient treasures, you can discover a dynamic shift toward contemporary art, Asian American artists, and historically underrepresented cultural regions. The museum features an expanded footprint with the Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Pavilion and the East West Bank Art Terrace—San Francisco's largest rooftop art venue.

Highlights include a functional Japanese tea house named "In the Mist," constructed in Kyoto and reassembled inside by Japanese carpenters. From historic ink paintings to cutting-edge contemporary exhibitions, you will experience an enriching world of artistic expression that bridges traditions, global Asian diasporas, and modern perspectives under one roof.

What to see at Asian Art Museum of San Francisco

• Over 20,000 art objects representing major Asian countries, traditions, and the global diaspora
• Authentic Japanese tea house 'In the Mist,' built in Kyoto and reconstructed on the second floor
• The East West Bank Art Terrace, San Francisco's newest and largest rooftop art venue
• Rotating gallery displays featuring arts from China, Korea, Japan, South Asia, and the Himalayas
• The Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Pavilion dedicated to large-scale contemporary art

Visiting tips

Head to the second floor to view 'In the Mist,' a functioning Japanese tea house built in Kyoto and reconstructed on-site.

How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is easy to reach on San Francisco’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our San Francisco travel guide.