Pinghe Packaging Factory Former Site
Liddell Bros Press Packing Works
Pinghe Packaging Factory Former Site 平和打包厂 (Liddell Bros. Press Packing Works) , established in 1905 by British merchants Liddell Brothers in Hankou, Wuhan, was one of the earliest and most influential cotton-packing factories in the region. As part of the British trading firm Liddell Bros. & Co., Ltd. (平和洋行), it pioneered mechanical cotton compression and became a cornerstone of Wuhan’s early industrial development . The complex, renowned for its reinforced concrete structure and red-brick facade, expanded over time into six interconnected buildings spanning 32,808 square meters, making it the largest and best-preserved early industrial complex in Wuhan . After decades of historical shifts, including wartime occupation and post-1949 state management, it was revitalized in 2017 as a cultural and creative hub, earning UNESCO recognition in 2019.
The Pinghe Packaging Plant
Timeline & Architectural History
The Liddell Brothers, who founded the Shanghai-based Pinghe Yanghang in the late 19th century, expanded to Hankou in 1880 and established the Pinghe Packaging Factory in 1905 at Qingdao Road . Capitalizing on Hankou’s booming cotton trade, the plant utilized advanced hydraulic presses (660 horsepower) to compress cotton, ramie, animal hides, and other goods for export to Europe . It monopolized the local market initially, later inspiring competitors like the Anglo-Chinese Hankou Packing Company.
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1905: Established by British trading firm Liddell Bros & Co. in Hankou (now part of Wuhan), Pinghe Packaging Factory became one of China’s largest industrial packaging facilities, specializing in cotton processing and export.
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1910s–1930s: Expanded multiple times, symbolizing Wuhan’s industrialization and Hankou’s reputation as the "Chicago of the East."
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1938: Partially damaged during the Second Sino-Japanese War, later resumed operations.
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Post-1949: Converted into a state-owned enterprise before gradually closing.
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2000s: Designated as a protected historical site, restored in 2017, and reopened as a cultural hub in 2019.
During the Pacific War (1941–1945), the Japanese military occupied the plant, halting operations until its postwar revival in 1946 . Post-1949, it underwent state-led reforms and was repurposed as a warehouse in 1960 . Despite functional changes, its architectural integrity earned it recognition as a municipal heritage site (1993) and a protected industrial relic (2011).
Architectural Style
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Industrial Eclecticism: Blends British industrial design with local Chinese elements, featuring red-brick facades, steel frames, arched windows, and sawtooth roofs (for natural lighting).
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Functional Layout: Preserved internal structures include cargo slides, iron staircases, and warehouse lofts, reflecting early assembly-line logic.
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Aesthetic Details: Decorative brick patterns, cast-iron ornaments, and bilingual signage ("Pinghe") highlight its utilitarian yet artistic ethos.
Architectural Significance
Designed by Shanghai’s Xiesheng Construction Company, the plant featured a four-story reinforced concrete frame, cast-in-place floors, and 50cm-thick brick walls—innovative for its time . Its red-brick facade, granite foundations, and arched windows reflected industrial neoclassicism, while interior elements like steel beams, cargo slides, and fire-sprinkler systems underscored its functional design . Expansions between 1905 and the 1930s added five more buildings, creating a sprawling complex with over 100 rooms.
Key Figures & Stories
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The Liddell Brothers: British merchants who expanded trade in late 19th-century China, founding Liddell Bros & Co. and boosting Hankou’s status as a commercial hub.
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Zhang Jian: A Chinese industrialist whose philosophy of “saving the nation through industry” aligned with Hankou’s industrialization.
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Restoration Team: Architects preserved the original framework during the 2017 renovation, blending modern elements like glass facades with historic brickwork.
Current Use
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Cultural Hub: Hosts art studios, bookstores (e.g., “Goose Society”), cafes, and galleries, featuring markets, photo exhibitions, and theater performances.
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Historical Education: Displays archival photos, machinery relics, and AR-enhanced tours of Hankou’s industrial past.
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Instagrammable Landmark: Industrial aesthetics attract social media enthusiasts; rooftop terraces offer views of old Hankou.
Fun Facts
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Hidden Slogans: “Safety First” slogans from the 1950s were preserved during renovation.
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“Haunted Factory” Myth: Echoes in the empty building led to local ghost stories during its abandoned years.
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Natural Lighting Tech: Sawtooth roofs provided daylight to workshops—a sustainable design ahead of its time!
Future Vision
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Reviving Urban Memory: Plans include VR exhibitions recreating 1920s Hankou dock life.
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Community Integration: Collaborating with nearby neighborhoods to create heritage walking routes linking industrial sites and Yangtze River culture.
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Sustainable Innovation: Aiming to install solar panels, transforming the site into a “zero-carbon heritage building.”
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From 2017 to 2019, a meticulous restoration preserved original features like steam valves and graffiti while adapting spaces for creative industries . This project, lauded by UNESCO for its “minimal intervention” approach, won an Honourable Mention in the 2019 Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards . Today, the plant houses design studios, tech startups, and cultural exhibitions, blending historical ambiance with modern innovation.
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As a symbol of Wuhan’s industrial past, the Pinghe Packing Plant exemplifies adaptive reuse of heritage sites. Its fusion of historical preservation and contemporary functionality underscores the city’s commitment to honoring its commercial and architectural legacy.
Cultural Activities at Pinghe Packaging Factory
Art Exhibitions & Creative Markets
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"Memories of Hankou" Vintage Photo Exhibitions (2019–2023)
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Annual exhibitions showcasing rare historical photos of Hankou’s industrial and daily life from the late 19th to mid-20th century, enhanced by AR to recreate old Wuhan scenes.
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Highlight: In 2021, a "Sound Archive" was added, featuring historical audio like dock workers’ chants and textile machinery.
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Young Artists Residency Program (2020–Present)
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Collaborates with Wuhan universities and art institutions to host emerging artists exploring themes like “industrial heritage and urban renewal.”
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Notable: The 2022 exhibition “Between Bricks” featured interactive sculptures made from discarded machinery parts, sparking discussions on sustainability.
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Weekend Creative Markets (Seasonal Events)
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Monthly themed markets, such as “Vintage Craft Fair” and “Indie Publishing Expo,” attract local artisans, illustrators, and vintage sellers.
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Unique Feature: The 2023 Lunar New Year market included a role-playing mystery game where participants solved puzzles as Republican-era merchants.
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Theatre & Performing Arts
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Immersive Play Night at the Packaging Factory (Premiered in 2021)
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Staged in the factory’s original spaces (e.g., cargo lifts and warehouses), the plot follows 1930s female workers and revolutionaries.
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Sold-out shows were praised as a “walking textbook of Hankou’s history.”
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Experimental Theater Festival “Echo Theatre” (2022)
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Leveraged the building’s acoustics for improv performances and sound art.
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Highlight: Japanese artist Yusuke Yamada’s Iron & Cotton blended mechanical noises with electronic music to explore industry-nature tensions.
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Rooftop Open-Air Cinema (Summer Series)
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Screened classics like The Goddess (1934) and Street Angels (1937), paired with traditional Hankou snacks, evoking 1930s outdoor cinema culture.
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Cultural Salons & Workshops
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“Urban Archaeology” Lecture Series (2020–Present)
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Historians, architects, and urbanists discuss topics like “How to Make Old Factories ‘Speak’” through case studies on Wuhan’s heritage conservation.
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Expanded in 2023 to include guided tours with live expert commentary.
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Traditional Craft Revival Workshops
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Hankou Embroidery Class (2022): Taught by非遗 (intangible cultural heritage) masters to recreate factory motifs on cotton fabric.
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Upcycling Workshop (2021): Transformed scrap metal into lamps or jewelry, promoting circular economy concepts.
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Community & Family Events
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“Little Packers” Kids’ Camp (2023)
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Children dressed in vintage uniforms simulated tasks like cotton weighing and crate packing while learning Hankou’s trade history.
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Integrated STEAM education with Lego-based “ideal factory” modeling.
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Mid-Autumn Intangible Heritage Festival (2022)
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Featured Hankou-style lanterns, shadow puppetry, and paper-cutting displays, with a photo zone showcasing “industrial moon lamps.”
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Unique Touch: Visitors received “retro Mid-Autumn cards” printed on antique typewriters.
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Cross-Industry Collaborations
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“Pinghe & Coffee” Festival (2021)
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Partnered with local cafés to convert a warehouse into a pop-up café, serving specialty drinks like “Cotton Latte” (inspired by cotton packaging).
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Hosted a latte art competition with winning designs featuring the factory’s architecture.
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Fashion Show “Rebirth in Bricks” (2023)
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Chinese brand “MUKZIN” debuted a collection blending industrial grays and Hankou prints, with models walking among steel frames and brick walls.
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Future Plans
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“AI Revives History” Digital Art Festival (2024 Preview)
Aims to use generative AI to create holograms of historical figures like dockworkers and cotton merchants for interactive “conversations.” -
International Industrial Heritage Biennale (2025 Proposal)
Plans to collaborate with global sites (e.g., Germany’s Ruhr Valley, UK’s Manchester) for cross-border forums and installation art.
Conclusion
Pinghe Packaging Factory bridges past and present through dynamic cultural events, proving that industrial heritage can thrive as a canvas for urban creativity.
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Liddell Bros. Press Packing Works: A Historic Industrial Landmark
Liddell Bros. Press Packing Works is a unique historical site in Wuhan, showcasing the city’s industrial heritage. Once a thriving factory, it played a significant role in Wuhan's development during the colonial era. The factory's preserved buildings offer visitors a rare glimpse into the city’s industrial past and the transformation of Wuhan from a manufacturing hub to a modern metropolis. It’s a must-visit for those interested in Wuhan’s history of trade, commerce, and industrialization.
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Industry – Explore Wuhan’s industrial revolution through Liddell Bros. Press Packing Works
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Culture & Heritage – The legacy of early industrial enterprises in the region
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Wuhan Architecture – Discover the industrial architecture of the colonial era
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People & Life – Understand the working conditions and history of factory workers
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Transportation – Convenient access to the site from Wuhan’s city center
Explore more with our historical tours, industrial heritage insights, and guided visits to Wuhan’s preserved landmarks.
