Chongqing, China — July 21, 2025
How can cities inject new vitality into aging neighborhoods while preserving their cultural essence and local charm? From July 20 to 21, the “Walking Through China – 2025 Overseas Chinese Media Sichuan-Chongqing Tour” delegation visited Jiangbei District in Chongqing to explore this very question. From bustling backstreets near commercial hubs to timeworn armament factories and air-raid shelters, the delegation set out to uncover the “Jiangbei answer” to urban renewal.
At Beicang Cultural and Creative District, one of Jiangbei’s flagship renewal projects, creativity and culture take center stage. “Being youth-friendly is one of our core attributes,” said Chen Yunyin, Director of Beicang Cultural and Creative District, as she guided reporters through the historic streets restored to their original style. Situated in Guanyinqiao—one of Chongqing’s busiest commercial zones—Beicang was once the Chongqing Jiangbei Textile Warehouse built in the 1960s. Through urban renewal, this industrial heritage site has been reimagined as a vibrant cultural destination.
The first phase of the project, led by Beicang Group, focused on infrastructure upgrades while preserving the site’s historic architectural style, resulting in a 6,000-square-meter mixed-use space. In the second phase, known as “Beicangli,” a government-enterprise collaboration model was adopted. Ongoing operational enhancements have created a thriving community with more than 150 unique shops, fostering a shared and inclusive ecosystem.
Urban renewal in Beicang goes beyond reconstruction—it’s about cultural integration. Maintaining the original architectural charm and local flavor, the district has welcomed a variety of cultural elements, including youth night schools, urban libraries, lifestyle galleries, cultural cafes, art spaces, creative restaurants, and co-working hubs. Hosting over 300 events annually, Beicang has become a cultural magnet for young people.
Zhang Yusi, Deputy Director of the Party Construction Office of Guanyinqiao Subdistrict, shared that the district actively encourages collaboration between young entrepreneurs and the local community. As a result, the proportion of young residents in Yubei Community—where Beicang is located—has increased by 10%. “The majority of people coming here to start businesses, travel, or shop are young,” she noted.
The fusion of “old” industrial spaces and “youthful” energy is fueling a surge in consumption. Data shows that over 100 innovative businesses—including craft coffee shops, modern eateries, and experiential photography studios—have spontaneously settled in Yubei Community, bringing in approximately 40 million yuan in investment.
Overseas Chinese media representatives visit the Beicang Library to experience the district’s vibrant cultural and creative atmosphere.
And Beicang is just one chapter of Jiangbei’s broader urban renewal story.
At the Yangpaoju 1862 project in Dashiba, once-abandoned air-raid shelters and factories have been transformed into cultural attractions. An old munitions factory has become a military-themed museum, while other spaces now house fitness centers and creative studios. The project integrates Chongqing’s unique mountainous landscape and historical legacy, merging cultural, commercial, and tourism elements. It now supports a vibrant mix of creative industries, office spaces, film production, interactive entertainment, dining, and hospitality.
Elsewhere, Jiangbeizui’s previously fragmented and underutilized Ju Xian Yan Square has undergone extensive renovation. Now home to the Chongqing Financial Exhibition Center, the revamped site supports financial operations and is positioned to become a key hub for the western region’s financial sector—serving as both a landmark and a civic living room at the intersection of rivers and industry.
“This city shows us that youthful energy and rich history can truly coexist,” said Cai Ling, Editor-in-Chief of China-Greece Times and Sino-Greek Net.
An air-raid shelter within the Yangpaoju 1862 project has been transformed into a themed museum showcasing the history of military manufacturing.