Old factory reawakens as cultural park

An abandoned old factory in Beijing will soon evolve into a cultural and technological innovation park where operas, concerts and literary and film-related events will be held in an effort to boost development of cultural industries in the city.

The 180-meter high smokestack at the Beijing No 2 thermal power plant used to be a landmark around Tianning Temple in the capital's Xicheng district. The plant was a back-up for heating supply for local people in 1979, but in 2009 it was closed and its production workshops were abandoned.

The renovation program of the old plant was initiated in 2015 by the major national power producer China Huadian Corporation Ltd with the support of the Beijing government.

The more than 4,330-square-meter area will open outdoor cultural experience space and indoor performance stages to the public.

The first phase of the project is set to complete in October.