Innovation Central: Guangzhou T.I.T Creative Industry Zone

Innovation Central: Guangzhou T.I.T Creative Industry Zone

 

With the creativity boom surging across the whole country, it comes as no surprise that Guangzhou is getting in on the game as well. The Guangzhou T.I.T Creative Industry Zone, located in the city’s Haizhu District, was actually built in 1952 and served as a textile factory for over 50 years. During its peak, the factory employed around 1,400 people, however after 1998 production slowed and it was eventually shut down in 2007. After its shutdown however, the local government decided to renovate the area and make into a groovy creative center. The original architecture remains, but now you can check out some hip stuff such as fashionable clothing and modern design work while you’re there.

The T.I.T Creative Industry Zone covers an area of over 90,000sqm, and cost a total of 200 million RMB to fully renovate. Its fantastic location – smack bang between the Guangzhou TV Tower, the consulate area and the Pazhou International Exhibition Center—makes it wonderfully convenient to get to if you’re coming via public transport. The park is also luring the attention of more and more businesses and creative individuals, and currently fashionable clothing accounts for 70% of the stuff on sale, while around 30% is left for cultural arts enterprises. This makes the park a little different from other creative areas in China such as Beijing’s 798 or Shenzhen’s OCT-LOFT, which is why it’s definitely worth checking out. Here, we’re going to take you through some of the highlights of the area.    


Photo: hkctc.org

1) Vcfani Women’s Clothing斐凡妮女装 View In Map
Vcfani is an ultra-hip women’s clothing brand from Britain who are known for their impeccable cutting, delicate handiwork, and top-quality fabrics. Obviously such high-quality does come at a price, though if you’re after the latest designs from the UK, this is the place to go. The shop in the T.I.T Creative Industry Zone may be small, though you’re sure to spot clothes that you normally wouldn’t see at any normal clothes shop in Guangzhou.

Add: 9 5C Dadao, T.I.T Creative Industry Zone  
地址:广州市T.I.T创意园5C大道9号
Tel: 189 2272 7956/159 7558 1299

2) Tianyuan Muge Bar田园牧歌酒吧 View In Map
It may look like a bit like a teahouse, but don’t be fooled by the all the traditional architecture and furniture – this place is a well-known center for folk-rock bands to gather, perform, and generally have a good time. The owner, Mr Tian, is a folk musician himself and is also a dab hand at all kinds of funky instruments. Although you can come during the day for a relaxing cup of coffee, the evening is when things really start to liven up, as it’s then, at around 22:00 each night, that the folk-rockers hit the stage. Don’t worry though, it’s not the kind of music that you have to jump around to, as the soft, gentle sounds of folk-rock still make the bar a great place to have a relaxing evening. There’s a teahouse next to the bar, and on the 2nd floor you can sit and enjoy an open-air barbecue which is great if you get hungry halfway through the performances! The bar is even equipped with a KTV room if you fancy making some music of your own.          

Add: 99 T.I.T Creative Industry Zone
地址:广州市TIT创意园99号
Tel: 020 8977 2171

3) Slowology Coffee尚慢咖啡 View In Map
As the name suggests, Slowology is a relaxed coffee house where you can also get some decent food. The café goes with a French theme and offers fresh salmon salad, duck breast and cheese, and all sorts of crepes (including a delicious caramel one) to tuck in to. On the drinks side, there’s beverages from mango smoothies to milk tea, and of course a wide range of fresh coffee. If you need a respite, fancy sitting down with a good book, or simply want to relax and enjoy the elegant décor of the café, this is one place you can’t miss.

Add: A5, Fengleicui Town, T.I.T Creative Industry Zone
地址:广州市TIT创意园翡冷翠小镇A5
Tel: 020 3446 7316
Opening hours: 11:00-18:30

4) Insite Western Restaurant里面外面西餐厅 View In Map
Insite is a stylish Western restaurant which grants visitors the chance to either sit inside or out depending on whether or not the weather is behaving! The décor was designed by artists from Australia and China, and forms an “S” shape in the way it’s laid out. The restaurant’s furniture and design features hints of both European and Asian influence, with its elegantly crafted wooden stair railings being a particular highlight.

The restaurant is also separated into two areas – A8 and A9. A8 features the main restaurant and bar on the first floor as well as an open air seating area on the second. A9 serves as more of a VIP area. One thing you’ll notice about Insite is the presence of trees, with the theme of healthy growth and nutrition being key. Highlights on the menu include salad, salmon, hamburgers, imported Aussie steak and pizza, while the cakes and coffee are also worth a try. If you fancy a drink, there’s some high-end whiskey on offer at the bar.

Add: A8 T.I.T Creative Industry Zone (near Liying Square)
地址:广州市T.I.T创意园A8号铺(近丽影广场)
Tel: 020 3449 7171
Opening hours: 9:30-23:00

5) RM Photography Hall View In Map
RM Photography Hall (the “RM” stands for “Ring Moment”, that’s right, it’s to do with weddings) is a photography studio that originated from Shenzhen, and apart from Guangzhou, the studio also has a sub-branch in Shunde. Aside from wedding photography, RM also offers services such as personal and business photos. One great thing about RM is whatever kind of backdrop, theme, or style you want in your photographs, they can do it for you as long as you let them know what you want prior to your photo shoot. So, if you fancy wedding photos on the moon, they can sort you out!   

Add: 05-3 Chuangyi Dadao, T.I.T Creative Industry Zone
地址:广州市创意园创意大道05-3号
Tel: 020 8977 2066/3421 5775
Opening hours: 9:00-20:00

Site Information:View In Map

Add: 397 Xingang Xilu, Haizhu District, Guangzhou
地址:广州市海珠区新港西路397号
Tel: 020 8422 1810
Price: Free
Opening hours: 24/7 (though individual businesses have fixed opening hours)
Getting there: take subway line 3 or 8 to Kecun Station (客村站)

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Keywords: T.I.T Creative Industry Zone Guangzhou T.I.T Creative Industry Zone

2 Comments

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xiaoxiong

and there it is. lol

Jul 02, 2013 13:13 Report Abuse

xiaoxiong

How do you get there?

Jul 01, 2013 16:25 Report Abuse