Meet With Culture | New Glory of Cultural Heritage

At the end of the west extension of Chang'an Avenue sits a century-old industrial legacy – Shougang Park. It witnessed how China's steel industry emerged from scratch.

In preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the century-old iron and steel plant was relocated to Hebei Province, and a massive project of heritage protection and modern renovation was launched in its site. As time passes, when Shougang Park amazed the world with the Big Air Shougang, the venue for freestyle and snowboard big air events at the 2022 Winter Olympics, this steel giant with a soft heart appeared in front of the world with a new look.

The renovation process of the park not only kept the remains of industrial buildings, but also retained the original style of the ancient buildings on Shijing Hill while adding green spaces. The Stele of Honor, the Bixia Yuanjun Temple and other structures on the top of the hill in the distance reflect the integrity of the original ancient buildings.

The No. 3 blast furnace was one of the longest-used blast furnaces in Shougang Park, which witnessed the glorious history of the rise of China's heavy industry. From its completion in May 1959 to its retirement in December 2010, the blast furnace has operated for 11 years. 

The ski run of the Big Air Shougang is 164 meters long, with the widest part being 34 meters and the highest point being 60 meters tall. The take-off platform is 48 meters in height. The design concept of the Big Air Shougang was inspired by the flying Apsaras in Dunhuang murals, which fully embodies the beauty of traditional Chinese culture.

Xiuchi Pond in Shougang Park, formerly called Xiuhu Lake, was built in 1940. Before its renovation, the pond was used to store recycled water for steel smelting. Today, it has become one of the most famous scenic spots in Shougang Park. 

The marvelous transformation of Shougang Park is a testament to Beijing’s dual-development path that both preserves historical heritage and eyeing on the future. Only from the perspective of regional and even overall development, with the goal of comprehensive and coordinated development of regional economy, society, culture, environment and other aspects, can the former industrial legacy truly become an urban community where the old and the new blend and coexist in harmony, thus realizing the all-round rejuvenation of the industrial area.

(Executive Producer: Wang Xiaohui; Production Supervisor: Xue Lisheng; Line Producer: Yu Li; Chief Planner: Ding Suyun, Cao Chuanchuan; Planner: Li Ying; Translator: Liu Haile)