A different beat at Shougang

The clang of machinery has given way to the sound of symphonies at Beijing's Shougang Park. The former steelworks hosted the "Blast Furnace Concert" on Oct 30 as part of the Beijing Western Hills Yongding River Cultural Festival. The concert opened with the large-scale symphonic poem "Mountains and Rivers Eternal: A Glorious Journey". Conducted by Xia Xiaotang, it featured the China National Film Orchestra, the Beijing Musicians Association Choir, a children's choir and several vocalists, alongside dance performances by the Beijing Dance Academy.

Founded in 1919, Shougang Group, was one of Beijing's major steelmakers. Its history mirrors the development of China's steel industry, from its early beginnings to its emergence as a global force. The company was moving its operations out of Beijing in 2014. Two years later, the former industrial site embarked on a new chapter, undergoing redevelopment as one of the venues for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. After the Games, it was transformed into Shougang Park, which has since become a prominent cultural and leisure destination in western Beijing.

The park's towering furnaces, old factory buildings and industrial structures remain reminders of the city's manufacturing past. But these relics found new purpose, turning what was once a working industrial complex into a lively public space for cultural events and everyday recreation.

The transformation extends beyond Shougang Park. The scenic waterfront corridor linking the park to the Garden Expo Park has been fully opened, while a 104-kilometer greenway along the Western Hills Yongding River Cultural Belt has taken shape. Launched in 2021, the Yongding River Cultural Festival has become an annual fixture on the local cultural calendar, bringing residents together through events that celebrate the area's history, landscape and evolving identity.