Dongjiao Memory () is a cultural and creative neighborhood in the Chenghua district of Chengdu, Sichuan, China. It was developed from the former site of the Chengdu National Hongguang Electron Tube Factory (), a major electronics industrial facility established in 1958. The district is known for its preservation of industrial architecture, including factory buildings, chimneys, pipelines, and other structures, combined with modern cultural uses such as music performances, art exhibitions, creative industries, and commercial spaces. It is considered one of Chengdu's representative examples of industrial heritage reuse and urban cultural regeneration.
Dongjiao Memory is served by Dongjiao Memory station on Line 8 of Chengdu Metro.
History
Industrial period
The site of Dongjiao Memory was originally part of Chengdu's eastern industrial area. The Chengdu National Hongguang Electron Tube Factory was established in 1958 as part of China's early electronics industry development. The factory became an important producer of electronic components and was associated with several milestones in China's television and display technology industry.
During the planned economy period, the eastern suburbs of Chengdu became a major industrial center. Large factories, research facilities, and workers' communities formed an important part of the city's modern industrial history.
Transformation into a cultural district
In the early 21st century, as Chengdu's industrial structure changed, parts of the former factory area were redeveloped for cultural and creative uses. The Chengdu municipal government transferred the former Hongguang Electron Tube Factory site for adaptive reuse, and Chengdu Media Group participated in its redevelopment.
The redevelopment project was initially opened on 29 September 2011 as Chengdu Eastern Suburb Music Park (). It was renamed Dongjiao Memory on 1 November 2012. The project adopted an approach of preserving industrial remains while introducing new cultural and commercial functions. Architects involved in the transformation followed the principle of "repairing the old as the old and using old buildings for new purposes" (). The redevelopment retained industrial features while adapting buildings for contemporary activities.
Features
Dongjiao Memory preserves a range of industrial structures from the former factory complex. These include brick buildings, industrial pipelines, and tall chimneys that have become recognizable symbols of the district. The district combines industrial heritage with cultural and creative industries. Its facilities include music venues, theaters, exhibition spaces, creative offices, restaurants, and retail businesses.
The area has hosted concerts, art exhibitions, theater performances, cultural festivals, and other public events. It has become a gathering place for music, design, youth culture, and creative enterprises in Chengdu.
Dongjiao Memory is part of a broader trend in China of converting former industrial sites into cultural districts. Its development reflects Chengdu's efforts to preserve industrial heritage while supporting cultural industries and urban renewal.
The district has received recognition as a cultural and tourism destination. It has been designated by the Chinese government as a National Cultural Industry Demonstration Base (), a National Music Industry Base (), a National Industrial Heritage Tourism Base (), a National Industrial Heritage site (), and a national News and Publishing Industry Demonstration Project (), among other titles.
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