From Special Steel to Creative Quarter
The plant that formed the basis of the park was built in 1958 as the Shaanxi Steelworks. In the mid-1960s, as part of the “Third Line” program – a large-scale project to industrialize China’s inland regions – the facility was merged with a workshop relocated from the Dalian Metallurgical Plant and grew into a major specialized steel production enterprise. In 1998, the plant ceased production and operations, and in 2002, the territory was purchased by Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology. Reconstruction into a creative industrial park began in 2013, with the main construction work completed in 2016 – meaning the project has been around for over ten years as a cultural space, not a fresh, disposable experiment.
Scale of the Territory and Who Works Here
The park covers approximately 3.3 hectares, with a total reconstructed building area of about 45,000 square meters, with individual units ranging from 100 to 2000 square meters – a range that allows for both small studios and large exhibition spaces to be accommodated on the territory simultaneously. Landscaping accounts for more than 30% of the area, which is noticeably higher than average for a former industrial site. Currently, around 150 companies and tenants operate on the territory, providing over 2,000 jobs – meaning the park functions not as a museum piece commemorating the industrial era, but as a functioning working district with real economic activity.
Four Functional Zones
After renovation, the park’s territory is divided into four thematic blocks: a center for creative demonstration and exchange, loft offices for creative industries, a creative quarter with food and retail outlets, and a student entrepreneurship center. This structure makes the park both a workspace for designers and creative entrepreneurs, a venue for public exhibitions, and a place to simply spend the day among industrial architecture with coffee shops and stores.
The Museum of City Memory Inside the Factory
A separate cultural point on the territory is the “Memory of the Old Factory” exhibition hall and the Xi’an Museum of City Memory, which houses everyday items from the 1980s. This adds a layer of nostalgic content to the park, relevant not only for tourists but also for local residents of older generations who personally experienced that era — a rare combination for a creative cluster usually focused exclusively on modern aesthetics.
Entrance and Practical Details
Entry to the park is free; no separate ticket is required—you only pay for specific services: food and drinks in cafes and restaurants, purchases in tenant stores, or access to individual temporary exhibitions if they charge a fee. The park’s address is 109 Xinfu Zhonglu Street, Xincheng District, Xi’an, which makes it convenient to include in an urban route alongside more classic city center attractions.
Why It’s Interesting for Young Audiences
The industrial loft space format with coffee shops, galleries, and creative studios is a recognizable trend worldwide of redeveloping former industrial zones, but in Xi’an, a city primarily associated with the Terracotta Army and ancient history, such a cluster provides a noticeable contrast: an opportunity to see a modern, relevant side of the city not directly related to imperial heritage. It’s precisely this combination of surprise—an industrial loft in a city famous for its antiquities—that explains the growing popularity of the place in local selections of Xi’an’s unusual spots.
Practical Checklist
- Address — 109 Xinfu Zhonglu Street, Xincheng District, Xi’an.
- Former steel mill from 1958, renovation completed in 2016.
- Entry to the territory is free; you only pay for specific services.
- Around 150 companies and studios, over 2000 jobs, an area of approximately 45,000 m².
- The grounds feature a museum of city memories with everyday items from the 1980s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay an entrance fee for the park?
No, entry is free — you only need to pay for specific services: food, shopping, or individual exhibitions.
What was here before?
A specialized steel mill built in 1958 and which ceased production in 1998.
What can be seen on the grounds besides cafes and shops?
The Xi’an City Memory Museum with everyday items from the 1980s, and the “Memory of the Old Factory” exhibition hall.
How far is it from the city center?
The park is located in the Xincheng district — it’s convenient to include it in a general itinerary for Xi’an along with the city wall and other attractions.
What’s Next
Check out the guide to the Xiaohongshu app for finding places and familiarize yourself with China’s tax-free refund system before your trip.
The list of tenants and exhibition schedules may change — check the latest information before visiting.
Xi’an Hotels: all hotels · near the Bell Tower.
