Walking Through the Industrial Heritage of Xi'an, Where Factories Turned into Art

The modern history of Xi'an was shaped outside the city walls by the expansion of factories, railroads, and film studios. Dahua 1935 transformed a textile factory building into a performance and exhibition space, while the Banpo International Art District and the Textile City reinterpreted the workshops of the eastern industrial region into creative areas. In locations like Nogangchang and 3511 Wangju, you can see how red bricks, pipes, and production buildings have been integrated into new shops and studios.

Unlike traditional museums, the atmosphere of industrial heritage spaces can vary greatly depending on event schedules and tenant activities, rather than operating at the same hours every day. Even though old equipment may be considered exhibits, please refrain from touching or climbing on it, and do not enter working studios without permission. Be sure to check reservation and security procedures for the Railway Museum and Film Museum, and avoid cramming too many distant areas in the eastern and northern regions into one day.

Tracing the industrial heritage reveals how Xi'an has grown into a city of textiles, railways, aviation, and film on the foundation of its identity as an ancient capital. Even with a similar approach to factory revitalization, Dahua’s performance space, Banpo’s studios, the design education at Nogangchang, and the film documentation at Xi Film Museum all have different preserved elements and new uses. Before admiring the splendid brick backgrounds, let’s first check what was originally produced in these locations.

In the disused factory areas, be cautious as there may still be changes in floor levels, exposed metal, and vehicle pathways, so make sure to use designated routes. Since the regulations for filming and individual tours can be different, please consult with the management office regarding tripod and commercial filming inquiries. Even on days without exhibitions, observing the layout of the buildings, the railway connections, and the locations of chimneys can give you insight into the flow of production. The key to this journey is to observe how the past and new uses can coexist harmoniously.