National Museum of Asian Art, East Building

10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
Closed Dec. 25

1050 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC

Free, no passes needed

About

The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art is made up of two buildings—the East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery) and the adjoining West Building (Freer Gallery of Art). The East Building features permanent and temporary exhibitions from ancient times to the present. The museum is home to an incomparable collection of art, including some of the most important ancient Chinese jades and bronzes in the world. In addition to exhibitions, the museum features innovative programming for visitors of all ages, such as lectures, concerts, and films.

Highlights

South Asian sculpture; Chinese jades and bronzes; modern Japanese ceramics.

MetroAccess

To provide an address for MetroAccess Paratransit, please use 1050 Independence Ave., SW.

We encourage the use of Metrorail and Metrobus.

Metrorail

Metro Station: Smithsonian (Mall or Independence Ave. exit)

Nearest Accessible Metro Entrance:
Smithsonian
NW corner of 12th St. and Independence Ave. SW

Check Metrorail's Elevator and Escalator Service Status page for service disruptions.

Parking

There is no public parking facility for Smithsonian museums on the National Mall. A limited number of city-operated metered parking spaces are available, including several accessible parking spaces.

View a map of accessible parking spaces.

Reserved parking near the museums can be purchased in advance through ParkWhiz.
Note: ParkWhiz is a third-party vendor (ParkWhiz Privacy Policy).

Dining

Moongate Cafe
(ground floor)
This casual walk-in dining space serves light fare such as rice bowls, sandwiches and desserts, along with a curated selection of teas and coffee. The menu includes classic Asian dishes like Vietnamese banh mi and Thai mango sticky rice, as well as twists on American favorites using Asian flavors.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Shopping

The National Museum of Asian Art offers visitors a unique shopping experience. Products reflect the collections and exhibitions and are inspired by the art, culture, and history of Asia. Located on level B1 of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, the shop carries jewelry, accessories, apparel, home decor, ceramics, textiles, recordings, children’s toys, books, and many other selections.

Visit the shop online or call 202.633.0503. Smithsonian member discount applies.

See Getting Here for information on accessible parking and public transportation.

Accessibility Information and Programs

For disability access service requests: asia-accessibility@si.edu.

My Visit

Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared

Spanning ancient times to the present, the works featured in this exhibition embody the depth and diversity of Korea’s artistic legacy.

November 15, 2025 – February 1, 2026

Asian Art Museum, East Building
My Visit

Cut + Paste: Experimental Japanese Prints and Photographs

Cut + Paste showcases seventeen Japanese artists who pushed the limits of printmaking and photography and whose experimental works blur reality, memory, and even how we perceive space and time.

June 21, 2025 – February 22, 2026

Asian Art Museum, East Building
My Visit

Striking Objects: Contemporary Japanese Metalwork

Contemporary Japanese metalworking breathes life into traditional methods that have been passed down and practiced over generations. The artists featured in Striking Objects create masterpieces that combine tradition with creativity and innovation.

March 2, 2024 – January 11, 2026

Asian Art Museum, East Building
My Visit

Connecting Stories at the National Museum of Asian Art

Let Connecting Stories inspire you to explore our collections further and to develop your own connection to the stories at the museum.

April 29, 2023 – Ongoing

Asian Art Museum, East Building
My Visit

Added to My Visit Removed from My Visit

The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas Added

~~The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas~~ Removed

View My Visit

The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas

The Art of Knowing brings together highlights from our collections to explore religious and practical knowledge across time, space, and cultures

March 25, 2023 – Ongoing

Asian Art Museum, East Building
My Visit

Ancient Yemen: Incense, Art, and Trade

The fine alabaster statues and metalworks display the masterful skills of artists from ancient Yemen, who blended local ideas and Greek and Roman inspirations into new creations, underscoring the region’s remarkable artistic and cultural cosmopolitanism.

September 3, 2022 – Ongoing

Asian Art Museum, East Building
My Visit

The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room

The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room includes more than two hundred bronzes, paintings, silk hangings, and carpets that were created in Tibet, China, and Mongolia between the thirteenth and early twentieth centuries.

March 5, 2022 – Ongoing

Asian Art Museum, East Building
My Visit

Prehistoric Spirals: Earthenware from Thailand

Red painted spirals swirl in distinct patterns across the surfaces of these vessels, testifying to the sophisticated material and aesthetic cultures of northeastern Thailand more than two thousand years ago.

December 18, 2021 – Ongoing

Asian Art Museum, East Building
My Visit

Feast Your Eyes: A Taste for Luxury in Ancient Iran

View highly sophisticated ancient Iranian metalwork ranging from deep bowls to elaborate drinking vessels to objects in gold and silver.

October 14, 2017 – Permanent

Asian Art Museum, East Building

View all Asian Art Museum, East Building exhibitions