Published : 2026-07-14
As one of the cradles of modern industry in China, Beijing is still home to a remarkable number of industrial heritage sites, with 751 D·PARK standing out as one of the most representative.
Transformed from an old factory complex, the park preserves its rugged industrial look while reinventing itself through exhibitions, design and fashion events. Now a distinctive landmark in the capital, it offers visitors a glimpse of a different Beijing, beyond the city's better-known historic sights.
From gas plant to 751 D·PARK
In Beijing's Jiuxianqiao area in Chaoyang district sits 751 D·PARK, an industrial heritage site covering about 220,000 square metres.
It began life as the state-owned No. 751 Gas Plant, built in 1954. A key project of China's First Five-Year Plan, with support from former East Germany, it was once one of Beijing's three main suppliers of manufactured gas and played a vital role in keeping the city running.
That changed in 2003, when Beijing introduced natural gas and began reshaping its energy mix. With the gas lines shut down, the future of the old factory site became a pressing question for the city.
Fortunately, these factory buildings and equipment, which carry the memory of China's modern industrial civilisation, were not demolished but were transformed in 2006 to become 751 D·PARK Beijing Fashion Design Plaza, now known as 751 D·PARK.
To this day, this park, which is connected to the 798 Art District, has gathered more than 150 designer brands and cultural and creative enterprises.
It also hosts major events such as the International Fashion Week and the International Design Week all year round, becoming one of Beijing's most representative cases of revitalising industrial heritage, as well as an urban showground where industrial character and fashion creativity coexist.
751 D·PARK: Where Beijing's industrial heritage turns photogenic
The most attractive aspect of 751 D·PARK is that it has not deliberately erased the traces of the old factory. Instead, it has preserved the original industrial facilities, which have become the most recognisable scenery in the park.
Step inside and you will see criss-crossing gas pipelines, giant gas holders, old-fashioned boilers and towering derricks everywhere. The rough steel structures and mottled industrial marks complement the surrounding exhibition spaces, coffee shops and design boutiques, creating a unique atmosphere that is both nostalgic and avant-garde.
Among its many eye-catching corners, 751 D·PARK is best known for Tank 79, a former gas tank turned event space, the fashion corridor created from a desulphurisation tower, and photogenic spots such as Locomotive Square and the Railway District.
Together, they preserve the texture of the old gas plant while giving the park a stronger sense of story and setting than the average creative hub. Even wandering through without a plan, visitors can still feel the site's distinctive industrial charm.
How to enjoy 751 D·PARK?
At 751 D·PARK, the appeal goes well beyond its photogenic industrial setting. More than a place to admire old structures, it is a creative space that keeps evolving through a steady stream of fresh ideas and cultural programming.
With fashion and design at its heart, the park regularly stages art and design exhibitions, brand events and cross-disciplinary programmes.
It has also hosted major events such as China Fashion Week, the 751 International Design Festival and China International College Fashion Week, giving this former factory site a constant sense of new energy and making every visit a little different.
Beyond exhibitions and runway shows, 751 D·PARK is also home to a growing mix of designer labels, creative retailers and independent shops.
The park regularly hosts themed markets, evening events and limited-time programmes, some combining exhibitions, stamp-collecting activities and exclusive merchandise, adding an easy, browseable lifestyle appeal to its industrial setting.
For visitors, a trip here is about more than seeing an exhibition or taking a few photos. It is also a chance to wander into shops, pick up something distinctive and get a feel for the everyday rhythm of Beijing's contemporary creative scene.
That is precisely why the appeal of 751 D·PARK lies not only in its past, but in how successfully it has brought its old factory buildings back to life as a cultural space to explore, experience and enjoy.
For those hoping to see a side of Beijing beyond historic monuments and hutongs, it offers a younger, more industrial-flavoured way to discover the city.
Read more:
Exploring Wuliangye: Where industrial tourism gets creative
Why are global travellers being drawn to China's tech tourism?
