Eastern Suburb Memory (东郊记忆), located in Chengdu, is China’s first thematic cultural district that integrates the entire music industry chain, including production, experience, consumption, and settlement. It is a unique area that blends industrial craftsmanship with modern music culture, offering a rich experience that combines the old with the new.
The park is situated on the site of the former state-owned Hongguang Electronic Tube Factory. The area still retains the massive chimneys, nostalgic slogans, and well-preserved industrial buildings from its past, creating a sense of nostalgia. These historical elements are now harmoniously mixed with modern features like cafes, music venues, and bars, resulting in a space where tradition and modernity coexist, and where design and creativity are evident at every turn.
Eastern Suburb Memory has become a new cultural landmark in Chengdu. The district is divided into seven key areas: Gourmet Alley, Celebrity Street, Chengdu Stage, Performing Arts Center, Melody Street, Bar Factory, and Star Workshop. These zones collectively form a comprehensive cultural park that includes business offices, performances and exhibitions, music training, music-themed retail, and entertainment venues.
Travel Information about Eastern Suburb Memory
Ticket Information and Opening Hours
Tickets: Free entry.
Opening Hours: Open all day.
Getting There
Location: No. 4, Middle Section of Jiànshè South Road, Chenghua District, Chengdu.
Subway: Take Metro Line 8 to Eastern Suburb Memory Station (东郊记忆地铁站), use Exit B1, and walk about 250 meters to reach the attraction.
Attraction Ratings
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Cultural Significance: ★★★★
- Uniqueness: ★★★
- Beauty: ★★
- Romance: ★★
- Excitement: ★★
Highlights of Eastern Suburb Memory
Central Avenue
Central Avenue represents the growth path of Eastern Suburb Memory, flanked by old factory buildings constructed in the 20th century. Adhering to the principle of “restoring the old as it was and giving new life to old buildings,” these factories have been transformed into cinemas and theaters. Notable venues along Central Avenue include the Yinglifang 7731 MAX Cinema, Fanxing Drama Village · Lai Theater, Hemiao Small Theater, and Weile Concert Hall.
Memory Corridor
Memory Corridor is a vibrant artistic world that has hosted high-profile exhibitions such as the National Tour of “Impression Monet” and the Picasso China Exhibition. In addition to world-famous art displays, visitors can also explore and purchase various art derivatives of different styles. At the Memory Hall, visitors can experience the process of creating pottery, including shaping, coloring, and firing, and take home their handcrafted creations.
Bar Factory
The Bar Factory, as the name suggests, is a hub of bars, most of which are converted from old factory buildings. It is a perfect blend of the old and the modern, where soothing classical music and energetic, dynamic pop music coexist. This fusion of classic and contemporary styles fills the atmosphere with vibrant artistic energy, showcasing the captivating allure of music in a way that resonates deeply with every visitor.
Food Court
The Food Court, located near the park’s north gate, is a haven for food lovers, offering a wide variety of culinary delights from different regions without leaving the park. This area hosts several distinctive restaurants, including the Shihua Garden Restaurant, Impression Eastern Suburb Canteen, and Chief 1956.
Among them, “Chief 1956” stands out as a creative restaurant that maintains the original look of the old electronic tube factory. It preserves the marks of the old canteen and workshop elements while creating a fresh and innovative dining space. The restaurant’s design, menu, and tableware all reflect a commitment to showcasing the industrial heritage and capturing the historical essence of New China’s traditional industrial workers.
Chengdu Stage
Located behind the Food Court, Chengdu Stage is a large public venue dedicated to cultural and charitable activities. It offers a platform for citizens and visitors to showcase their talents and express their emotions through various free performances and cultural events. This stage is a space for everyone in Chengdu, making it truly the people’s stage.
Performance Center
Located west of Chengdu Stage, the Performance Center is the showcase and global hub for Eastern Suburb’s music culture. Here, visitors can experience a wide variety of contemporary and popular music while gaining insight into the cultural backgrounds of each genre.
Celebrity Street
Located on the eastern side of the park, Celebrity Street is a hub for star-related merchandise and a paradise for fans to interact with their favorite artists. The area features 12 specialty stores in collaboration with major music companies and well-known celebrities. Each store is named after a famous artist and offers officially licensed merchandise, including CDs, clothing, and jewelry.
Visitor Guide for Eastern Suburb Memory
Shopping Venues
The Locomotive Square in the Music Park is a nostalgic spot that brings back memories of a bygone era. A steam locomotive, numbered 1519, which was among the first batch in Sichuan, along with two green carriages, remains stationed on a preserved section of the railway track. The square also features vendors dressed in old-fashioned work clothes, hawking their goods, recreating scenes from that time.
In addition, Central Avenue in the Music Park is lined with retail shops offering an array of unique and quirky music-related and creative items. Here, you can find ceramic instruments, erhu, hand drums, BEATBASE professional DJ gear, high-end audio systems, and classical music records, providing a feast for the ears.
Dining Options
The restaurants in Music Park are mainly located near the North Gate in the Food Court, and they offer a unique dining experience infused with an artistic atmosphere. From the decor to the flavors, these establishments surprise diners as they savor their meals.
Shihua Garden Restaurant (食画花园餐厅): Located at No. 89, South Construction Road, this restaurant features a serene ambiance with trickling water and swaying bamboo. The spacious dining hall blends traditional and modern elements beautifully. Exquisite tableware complements meticulously crafted dishes, showcasing the essence of new-style Sichuan cuisine.
Xiaoxia Xia Small Ocean (虾小侠小海洋): Situated at No. 26, South Construction Road, this restaurant specializes in a variety of seafood, with crayfish being the signature dish. The restaurant spares no expense in importing high-tech cleaning equipment from abroad to thoroughly wash the crayfish, ensuring that diners can enjoy their meal with peace of mind. In addition to crayfish, the menu also includes steamed scallops with garlic and baked abalone wrapped in foil.
Entertainment
Music Park features a variety of unique and personalized leisure and entertainment venues. From book bars to pubs, and from music creation to DIY film experiences, the park is filled with creative and joyful activities.
Yingli Cube 773 IMAX Theater (影立方773IMAX影城): Located at No. 4, South Construction Branch Road, this theater has been transformed from an old factory from the 1950s and 60s. It boasts eight modern digital screening rooms that meet international standards, with a total of 1,543 seats. The IMAX hall can accommodate 488 people, and its unique factory structure provides an ideal environment for a giant silver screen measuring 22 meters wide and 12.6 meters high.
Mr. X Escape Room (X先生密室): Claimed to be the top escape room in Chengdu, it features luxurious equipment and unexpected immersive scenarios. The cleverly designed escape challenges provide a unique sense of achievement that is difficult to put into words.
Music House Cafe (音乐房子cafe): This venue brings together various strengths from the music industry, including music creation, performances, management, and media. It hosts diverse events such as electronic music performances, new age music with electronic violins, live movie soundtracks, musicals, classic dramas like “How Much Love Can Be Messed Up,” female new folk music, Sichuan opera, and model dramas. Regular music festivals add to the excitement.
Shua Pub (耍酒馆): Located at No. 174, South Construction Road, this retro-style pub offers a cozy atmosphere that feels like drinking at home. It has a wide variety of beverages, making it perfect for enjoying delicious food with friends while having a few drinks in a great overall ambiance.
Xuan Kehui Stylish Bookstore (轩客会格调书店): Situated on the third floor of the SM Shopping Plaza on East Second Ring Road, Chenghua District, this bookstore provides a comfortable environment with a relaxed vibe, ideal for leisurely chatting and daydreaming with friends. It offers light meals, tea, coffee, music, and a sense of nostalgia.