Chengdu City, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, has transformed many of its industrial heritage sites into tourist attractions, providing refreshing consumption scenes for a growing number of visitors.
A former electron tube factory in Chengdu's Chenghua District has been re-purposed into a vibrant commercial complex, alive with music curated around distinct themes.
"We feature different themes for each of the four seasons throughout the year, such as a trend-setting theme or a fantastical summer theme. We curate our in-flight music selections accordingly," said Luo Bingwen, director of Chengdu Dongfang Zhenghuo Cultural Media Co., Ltd.
It's not just the music that follows dedicated seasonal themes. Here, the massive tanks once used for hydrogen storage have been transformed into a unique venue for enjoying live performances.
"In this latest round of renovation, we transformed the tanks into a dedicated music rehearsal space. The thick walls of the tanks create an environment very much like a professional recording studio, delivering an exceptional auditory experience for the audience," said Luo. The experiences created by these innovations are reshaping consumer habits.
Since the start of this year, over 2,000 performances including musicals, dance parades, and theater shows have been staged in the former industrial heritage sites, where attending trendy performances has become a new preference for young consumers.
Data from the travel booking platform Qunar shows that in 2025 alone, more than 140 hotels have newly opened or been renovated within a four-kilometer radius of the Chengdu Eastern Suburb Memory Park. "It imposes minimal spatial constraints, offering audiences more diverse and personalized viewing options, which largely meets our needs," said Peng Nanxin, a consumer.
"The entire Chenghua District preserves 18 industrial heritage sites, each renovated under the principle of 'one park, one distinctive character.' Based on the industrial relics, we developed these consumption spaces for young people, emphasizing fashionable, youthful, and international aesthetics," said Xu Xiaowei, deputy director of the Renewal and Greening Center in Chenghua District.
In Chengdu, while some pursue the thrill of trendy contrasts, others seek the serene comfort of leisurely familiarity.
A teahouse renovated from a former Chengdu lacquerware factory not only serves tea and snacks, but also features cultural performances like the face-changing art of Sichuan Opera and tea ceremony demonstrations.
"You can now see many lanterns in this teahouse, which are adorned with intricate elements of traditional lacquerware culture. Here, customers come to sip tea, savor culture, and enjoy the pleasures of life," said Wen Yi, founder of Daqi Teahouse.
In Chengdu's Yulin market, some vegetable stalls have been converted into coffee stands. A former storage room has been reborn as a "worry-relief grocery store," emerging as a new popular attraction for tourists.
With a focus on community scene creation, Chengdu's Xindu District has invested a cumulative 75 million yuan (about 10.3 million U.S. dollars), revitalizing 22,000 square meters of idle space. Over 30 "small yet exquisite" consumption venues have emerged.
"The new consumption space, transformed from a courtyard, feels both familiar and novel. Sipping a cup of coffee here evokes a distinctly unique sensation," said another consumer.
Data shows that in the first three quarters of this year, Sichuan Province's retail sales of consumer goods totaled 2.4 trillion yuan, growing by 6.0 percent, which is 1.7 percentage points higher than the national average.
The province has developed 120 new integrated consumption scenes, drawing 76 million visitor trips this year and driving consumption of over 50 billion yuan, according to Tong Yao, deputy director of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Commerce's Market Operation and Consumption Promotion Division.
Industrial heritage rejuvenation drives new consumption trends in Chengdu
