There are many distinctive buildings which hide impressive stories in Baoshan, a place with rich culture. Let’s listen to the story of golden furnace’s transformation and start a journey full of industry and literature.

Golden Furnace

From Hardcore Industry to Ecopunk, Gorgeous Transformation of Golden Furnace-China Baowu Steel Convention and Expo Center

△Li Yongsen (1898-1998)

Construction Site of Shanghai First Iron & Steel Group, watercolor work

Looking at the work of Mr. Li Yongsen, we can see the repeated struggles of Shanggang First Plant located in No. 580, Changjiang Road and feel that time flies. This place witnessed the process of transformation and reborn for years. It is the Golden Furnace - China Baowu Steel Convention and Expo Center.

Shanggang First Plant was established in November 1938. It was renamed Shanghai First Iron & Steel Plant in 1949 and was the first iron and steel plant in East China. In 1995, the plant built a furnace of 2500 m3. In November 1998, Shanghai Baosteel Group Corporation was founded and then it was stopped in 2018. The 80-year glory history of Shanggang First Plant ended since then.

As the downtown of Shanghai is expanding to the north area, the furnace plant in Baoshan has transformed and reborn, becoming an eye-catching landmark of the city. The Golden Furnace has become a brand-new public area which is renovated from a furnace of 2500 m3 of the former Shanggang First Plant. It retains the unique building style of a furnace and features distinctive personality and memory.

The name Golden Furnace comes from the violin solo Golden Furnace which is adapted from the red song Chairman Mao’s Brilliance Illuminates the Furnace composed in 1970s. Lyrics of the song describes the scene of Chairman Mao inspecting Shanggang First Plant, having a cordial communication with workers, and leaving the inscription of “Working Hard to Have a Brilliant Future”. In order to carry on the history and culture, the transformed furnace was named “Golden Furnace”. It is not a brand symbol, but also a witness of the steel for a century.

The Golden Furnace-China Baowu Steel Convention and Expo Center is of unique modern industrial style and covers an area of 60,000 m2 with a built-up area of 44,700 m2. From hardcore industry to ecopunk, it is turning into one of the most brilliant part of the city.

From the Exterior View to the Indoor View, Show You around in the Golden Furnace-China Baowu Steel Convention and Expo Center 

The Golden Furnace is renovated by demolishing all the original external walls and rooftop and rebuilding a new roof and façades. The unique magnificent and tough style of the furnace are retained and integrated with design concept of simplicity and free combination. The outward appearance is a blue glass house which presenting an industrial and fresh image.

Opposite the Convention and Expo Center is the Glory Plaza which symbolizes the “glory of steel and iron” and is one of the places that must visit. The mirror pond and musical fountain in the center of the plaza, rainbow tower renovated from the water tower, and the sculpture that is built with the inspiration of the violin solo Golden Furnace are worth to visit and take photos.

Walking into the Convention and Expo Center, you can see a modern great hall at the first floor. Sitting in the hall, and looking at the sky, buildings, and scenery outside and the mottled shadows, you can feel the magnificence of modern space design.

Taking the escalator to the second floor and going through the “time tunnel”, you will reach the most popular Internet-famous place Golden Furnace which was the 2500-cubic-meter furnace of Shanghai First Iron and Steel Plant in the past. The Golden Furnace perfectly combines historic elements and all kinds of exhibits in the modern time and is also full of vicissitudes in the industrial civilization times. You can feel the interchange of history and future.

From Industrial Style to Literary Magnate: Tips for Taking Photos in the Golden Furnace

Do not miss the opportunity of taking a set of still-life photos of fresh and magnificent style and "symmetry beauty" in the place with water. The pool in front of the Convention and Expo Center reflects the whole building and its surrounding landscape, enabling you to put the objects and their inverted images in one photo. Besides, each piece of glass can reflect the cloud in sunny days, making your photo full of industrial and literary feel.

At the sunset, you can take a photo of the sunset glow which will be artistic and appreciated in your friend's circle. In the evening, the colorful lights illuminate the Convention and Expo Center. It is a good timing for taking a group of mighty nightscape photos. These neon lights will make your photos fashionable.

The large French window on the first floor of the Convention and Expo Center is also the most favorite place for literary people. In the sunny days, the beautiful and artistic space between the building and blue sky cut out by the window frame and its shadow reflected on the floor form a delightful contrast. Some netizens compare the place to the Sky City in Baoshan.

Meanwhile, as a renovated industrial heritage, the Convention and Expo Center is designed with the concept of "repairing old as before" and retains the marks of industrialization to the largest extent. You can explore the industry stories inside and take a group of cool photos of industrial style.

Italo Calvino ever said, "The components of a city are not physical objects but the relationship between her measurement and historical events." The Convention and Expo Center that perfectly combines the iron and steel marks and industrial style is waiting for you to leave traces of the current age.