As dusk falls, the towering red-brick chimney is illuminated by neon lights spelling out "Zhengzhou Memory." Beneath the glow, live music and dance performances animate an open-air stage, while crowds throng around creative market stalls. The Zhengzhou Oil and Fat Chemical Plant, with over 70 years of history, has now transformed into a new urban cultural landmark that blends historical memory with contemporary consumption.
Constructed in 1952, the Zhengzhou oil plant was once Henan's largest detergent production base and one of the first Soviet-aided projects established after the founding of New China. Its "Zhongzhou" brand soap and "Flower" scented soap were highly popular products of their time. After the factory ceased operations in 2006, the overgrown industrial site became an underutilized space in the city's development landscape.
Since 2019, through government guidance, corporate participation, and market-driven operations, the old factory underwent nearly three years of renovation that preserved its original character. It has now metamorphosed into a national-level tourism and leisure district, attracting over 30,000 daily visitors on average.
"Everywhere you look there are historic buildings, yet the atmosphere feels completely youthful," remarked Wu Huashan from Hebei, who visited with friends during the New Year holiday. Following social media recommendations for Zhengzhou attractions, they chose the oil plant for their celebration. "It happened to snow that evening in Zhengzhou - every photo turned out perfectly atmospheric with the ambient lighting and music creating a magical experience."
Walking through the complex reveals a fascinating blend of history and modernity: Soviet-era warehouses have been reinvented as the Qionglu Art Center, old production lines now house a Soap Museum, storage tanks serve as rock music stages, and concrete pipelines host musical markets. Through careful curation by local businesses, every industrial relic now breathes with vibrant community life, as visitors flock to cafes, barbecue restaurants, pubs, and industrial exhibition spaces for immersive experiences and photo opportunities.
"The combination of community spirit, contemporary style, and artistic flair is key to attracting young visitors," explained Cao Xinhe, General Manager of Zhengzhou Memory 1952 Oil Plant Creative Park. The park currently hosts over 230 boutique stores and hundreds of market stalls spanning cultural innovation, technology, entertainment, dining, performances, and immersive theaters. By developing what she calls the "five-senses economy" - focusing on taste, sight, sound, smell, and touch - the destination has become a must-visit spot for Zhengzhou's youth. During the 2026 New Year holiday period, the district welcomed over 250,000 visitors generating more than 11 million yuan in revenue.
"Industrial heritage serves as a precious bridge connecting past and future, representing a unique resource for cultural tourism," stated an official from Zhengzhou's Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau. Successful developments like the Zhengzhou oil plant and Zhengzhou Ersha creative districts have established new pathways for the city's cultural tourism growth, demonstrating strong appeal among younger demographics.
In recent years, Zhengzhou has prioritized the development of cultural and technological innovation parks as key initiatives, deeply implementing humanistic economic principles. By tapping into historical cultural resources, urban narratives, and distinctive architecture, the city seamlessly integrates rich cultural heritage with warm urban atmospheres to create novel consumption environments.
"I'm not just selling gourds - I'm creating emotional companions, hoping each piece brings people joy," said Qi Heyao, a "post-00s" artisan showcasing her handmade ornamental gourds at the western gate plaza where creative goods and craft workshops attract young crowds. "The creative park draws many young people in a relaxed setting. Customers often spontaneously share creative ideas with me."
"The transformation of industrial 'rust belts' into cultural 'showcases' not only adds cultural symbolism to the city but creates new urban landmarks, cultural tourism consumption scenarios, and leisure destinations," noted Wang Zhenjun, Director of Zhengzhou University's Cultural Industry Research Center. He emphasized that a city's old factories and buildings represent not just substantial industrial heritage but indispensable historical memories of urban development - serving not merely as physical spaces but as humanistic environments承载着无数人的工作、学习、生活和奋斗故事。
When industrial memories are revitalized, they ignite not only vibrant community life but also embody a city's cultural confidence and developmental momentum for the future. Driven by the dual engines of humanistic values and economic development, these old factories are writing new narratives that enhance urban development with distinctive charm.
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