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Asian Art Museum

ArtHistoryClosed · Opens 10amFrom $20Civic Center/UN Plaza (BART & Muni Metro)

The Asian Art Museum holds more than 18,000 works spanning 6,000 years, one of the most comprehensive collections of Asian art in the world, from a Shang dynasty bronze rhinoceros vessel to the earliest known dated Chinese Buddha (338 CE). Founded in 1966 on Avery Brundage's gift, it moved in 2003 into San Francisco's 1917 Beaux-Arts former Main Library, reworked inside by Gae Aulenti; the Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Pavilion added contemporary exhibition space in 2023. It faces City Hall across Civic Center Plaza, a block from BART.

What's On

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Nearest station: Civic Center/UN Plaza (BART & Muni Metro), Van Ness (Muni Metro)

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Hours

Mon10:00–17:00
TueClosed
WedClosed
Thu13:00–20:00
FriToday10:00–17:00
Sat10:00–17:00
Sun10:00–17:00

Admission

From $20

65+ $17; ages 13-17 and college students with ID $14; 12 & under and members free. Special exhibitions +$10. Free general admission on the first Sunday of each month (special exhibitions $10). Timed tickets encouraged.

Nearby

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)

Art17 min walk

Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD)

Art18 min walk

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

Design18 min walk

Chinese Historical Society of America Museum

Local History20 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Asian Art Museum cost?
Standard adult admission to Asian Art Museum is $20. 65+ $17; ages 13-17 and college students with ID $14; 12 & under and members free. Special exhibitions +$10. Free general admission on the first Sunday of each month (special exhibitions $10). Timed tickets encouraged.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Asian Art Museum?
Asian Art Museum is open Thu 1-8 PM; Fri-Mon 10 AM-5 PM; closed Tue & Wed. Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving (26 Nov 2026) and Christmas (25 Dec 2026). Free general admission on the first Sunday of each month.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Asian Art Museum?
Asian Art Museum is located at 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, in the Civic Center, San Francisco area of San Francisco. The nearest stations are Civic Center/UN Plaza (BART & Muni Metro), Van Ness (Muni Metro).
What can I see at Asian Art Museum?
6,000 years of Asian art, from a Shang bronze rhino to the oldest dated Chinese Buddha, in a grand Beaux-Arts hall at Civic Center. Current highlights include Mountains of the Mind: A Chinese Landscape Journey, Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean, Kim Minwook: On Carving, Bending, and Binding Wood.
Do I need to book Asian Art Museum in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Asian Art Museum?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Dale Cruse (CC BY 4.0)

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