Dilapidated old factory in Central China transformed into popular tourist spot

WUHAN -- An old factory in Central China's Hubei province has earned a well-deserved spot among the must-visit tourist destinations, as recommended by local travel guides, after undergoing a remarkable transformation.

Huaxin 1907, a cement factory-turned-cultural park located in the city of Huangshi, just an hour and a half drive from the provincial capital Wuhan, today hosts an array of attractions such as museums, cafés, bookstores, and hotels, all set within the warehouses and blast furnaces of this old factory.

As evening sets in, the massive compound transforms into a teeming night market, bustling with locals purchasing various goods, savoring delectable snacks, and leisurely strolling about.

Liu Min is excited to visit the former industrial site with his parents and children this summer. Liu, who grew up in the city but now works in Wuhan, fondly recalls his childhood memories of this place brimming with roaring machines and chimneys billowing smoke.

Huaxin, founded in 1907, was one of the earliest cement factories in modern China. Visitors today can still see two production lines imported from the US in 1946, and one assembly equipment independently designed and developed in 1977. These remarkable installations earned it the title of the "cradle of China's cement industry."

During its heyday, the factory served as a vast production and living compound that extended across entire neighborhoods. Within its premises, there were essential amenities such as a hospital, a primary school, and apartment complexes.

The mill was shut down by the city government in 2007 due to air pollution concerns and the closure had triggered desolation of the nearby neighborhood. But instead of being demolished, the factory was listed as a national industrial heritage in 2019.