The long-derelict Zhenwei Knitting & Dyeing Plant in Zhanjiang has been revitalized into the 1.6.8 Zhanjiang Memory Creative Park (1.6.8湛江记忆创意园), a new urban leisure destination bustling with visitors after dark. As of May 2026, the park hosts 61 merchants, achieving an occupancy rate of 98%. It receives around 1,500 visitors daily on ordinary days, with footfall climbing above 3,000 during holidays.
Adhering to the "restore original features" principle, the renovation retains the plant's iconic chimneys, water towers, and brick walls, with 35% of the total renovation cost earmarked for heritage conservation. The site's space utilization rate has climbed from 60% to 95%. Rooted in its "1.6.8" branding, the park integrates the city's industrial legacy across catering, retail, and recreational businesses. Local vendors have seen their average monthly revenue jump from 32,000 yuan to 180,000 yuan, alongside a 96% business survival rate, far outperforming the industry's average of 60%.
Besides structural refurbishment, the park revives the site's industrial heritage through themed events and IP-oriented store leasing. This pioneering regeneration model is poised for wider replication to repurpose idle state-owned assets across the region, turning derelict factories into cultural and tourism hubs to boost urban consumption and renewal.
Author: Gan Yujie
Photo: Gong Yukun
