INTRODUCTION
Beicang Cultural and Creative Street is located near one of Chongqing’s most prosperous commercial centers, Guanyinqiao. Situated between the Paradise Walk mall and 9th Street in Jiangbei District, Beicang was once a major textile factory. But much like Testbed 2, old factories like these have been lock decommissioned and have since found new life as cultural and art centers.
A collection of signs at Beichag that shows directions for different points of interest /Mikkel Larsen
BACKGROUND & HISTORY
During the War of Resistance against Japan, Beicang housed 13 cotton spinning mills from textile factories such as Henan Yufeng and Hubei Yuhua, which moved to Chongqing and became part of the main textile base during the war. The factories were decommissioned in the late 1990s, and now only one of the main warehouses remains.
The Jiangbei Textile Warehouse was built in the 60s and served an important role in the logistics of Chongqing textiles. While the warehouse was empty and unused for well over a decade, taking up valuable space in one of Chongqing’s core business districts, it has been turned into an arts center to be preserved.
A large sign with the name Beicang is at the entrance of the cultural and creative street. /Mikkel Larsen
MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Block 1
Beicang is divided into three sections or blocks. Block 1 is the base area, covering 10.000 square meters. Here you will find the warehouse, a garden and a community building, an urban cultural library, Internet and Cultural experience store, which has become a platform for learning, communication, and sharing.
Block 2
Block 2 focuses on renewing old residential buildings with a construction area of 6000 square meters. Here, they strive to build a youth community that integrated apartments for young people and creative offices and talent incubators. Beicang promotes development and brand acceleration through a series of brand building, talent incubation, and scenario practice.
Block 3
Block 3, covering an area of 12000 square meters, is a film and television base, venture capital base, and international cultural exchange center, focusing on the transformation and experience derived from the other two blocks.
24-Hour Library
Beicang’s 24-hour library aims to create a human-centered library calling on all people to read more books and provide a space where cultural and creative experiences can be held to further the city’s cultural development.
Beicang's Library also contains a small cafe where you can sit and enjoy a drink or a small meal. /Mikkel Larsen
Photography
Similar to Testbed 2, Beicang also lends itself very well as a photography location with an abundance of shops and storefronts and a large outside area with various mixed and matched styles.
Warehouse Gallery
One of the main halls of the old warehouse holds a large art gallery with photography from different places around Chongqing.
Arts & Crafts store
Opposite the library and Cafe, you will find a large creative space that also functions as an arts and craft store. Not only are there many handmade arts and crafts for sale, but you can also come and learn how to make arts and crafts, paint, or do pottery.