Recently, the British street artist Banksy’s exhibition was held at the 603 Cultural and Creative Park in Xiangyang, Hubei, attracting numerous visitors and art enthusiasts. On the afternoon of October 12, I visited the park and found that in addition to the art museum, the small theater, urban library, trendy café, and pet paradise were also quite popular among guests.
It’s hard to believe that this vibrant cultural hub, now a popular destination in the city, was once an old factory. The weathered walls and red bricks are remnants of its industrial past.
I spoke with Yang Bin, the manager of 603 Cultural Creative (Hubei) Co., Ltd. He mentioned that the park is adjacent to the ancient city of Xiangyang and lies against Mount Xianshou. Originally established in the 1960s as the 603 Printing Factory, it was once a leader in China’s printing industry, responsible for producing important publications like the “Xinhua Dictionary” and the “Chinese Idioms Dictionary.” In 2017, as the factory relocated, the former site was transformed into a cultural and creative park.
Yang Bin himself worked as a printer in the factory over 20 years ago and has witnessed its remarkable transformation. “What sets this cultural park apart from others is that it was once a highly regarded printing plant, holding the memories of generations of Xiangyang residents, with deep cultural roots and an irreplaceable historical charm,” he explained. During the renovation, efforts were made to preserve the original bricks, tiles, beams, and windows of the old factory, ensuring that the repairs maintained the authenticity of the original structure.
The park truly entered the national spotlight thanks to the hit Chinese film “Hi, Mom,” where it served as a primary filming location. Yang noted that the film’s immense success brought a “tsunami of visitors” to the creative park.
Seizing this momentum, the park has actively diversified its offerings, repurposing the original factory spaces: the former printing workshop became a performing arts theater, the binding workshop was transformed into an art museum, while the offset printing area was converted into an industrial-style hotel and accommodations. Additionally, some old factory buildings were remodeled into cafés, intangible cultural heritage workshops, tech startup spaces, and movie screening rooms, effectively “reimagining” the old structures. Furthermore, the park has partnered with local universities, allowing students to intern with resident companies and providing a space for academic research to be tested.
Xu Siqi, the curator of the art museum, believes that Xiangyang is already a city rich in poetry, and the 603 Cultural Park adds a touch of literary charm and artistic spirit, becoming an integral part of the city’s character. The museum also plans to showcase more works from both domestic and international artists to enrich the artistic atmosphere within the park.
Even three years after the release of “Hi, Mom,” visitors continue to flock to the creative park. On social media, many users have spontaneously dubbed 603 Cultural Park as the “best place in Xiangyang for a City Walk.”
Statistics show that over 60 businesses have established themselves in the 603 Cultural Park, creating approximately 3,000 job opportunities. During the recent “National Day” holiday, the park received an average of over 10,000 visitors each day.
