Yueyang Hualinggang Pier Tourist Center by WANG HUI of URBANUS

A Modern Waterfront Landmark Embracing Industrial Heritage

The Yueyang Hualinggang Pier Tourist Center, designed by Wang Hui of URBANUS, sits within the Yueyang Port Industrial Heritage Park, a site that preserves iconic relics of the industrial era, including gantry cranes, tower cranes, railway tracks, and warehouse structures. Since its opening in 2018, the park has become a vital public space at the heart of Yueyang, connecting historical districts to the emerging modern cityscape. Yet, until recently, the waterfront lacked essential service facilities for tourism. The Tourism Development Conference provided a policy-based opportunity to address this gap, enabling the creation of a tourist center that complements both the industrial heritage and the natural beauty of Dongting Lake.

Reimagining the Dock: Connecting History and Nature

The dock is central to the design concept. Yueyang Tower, Dongting Lake, and Junshan Island form a “golden tourism triangle,” where cultural landmarks and natural scenery converge. The dock facilitates a water journey from Yueyang Tower to Junshan Island, offering visitors a dynamic experience of the region’s heritage. The transformation of the old cargo dock into a fully equipped passenger and yacht pier includes floating bridges, 22 small yacht berths, and 15 medium-sized berths. Even before the launch of water transport, this setup evokes the romantic idea of a voyage across Dongting Lake.

Preserving Industrial Heritage: Adaptive Reuse of Existing Buildings

Two parallel office buildings near the lake were preserved during the demolition phase and serve as the backbone of the tourist center. Their east side connects to Yueyang South Road, forming a seamless circulation loop for both land and water visitors. To the northeast, the 39-meter Cishi Pagoda, a Song Dynasty navigation lighthouse, anchors the waterfront and sets a historically significant backdrop. By carefully situating the renovation within the permissible building zone, the design establishes a meaningful dialogue between the contemporary tourist center and the ancient pagoda.

Architectural Design: Canopy, Public Spaces, and Scenic Integration

The ground floor accommodates essential visitor functions such as ticketing, waiting areas, and restrooms, while a wide staircase connects to the upper floors. These upper levels serve as public terraces where visitors can enjoy Dongting Lake’s sunrise and sunset. To enhance visual identity from the lake, a sail-like tensile membrane canopy tops the buildings, inspired by an observation platform nearby. The canopy, designed as continuous barrel vaults, creates a small “settlement” appearance while framing the Cishi Pagoda, merging historical reverence with contemporary design.

Public circulation is further emphasized through sculptural fire stairs, semi-circular exterior staircases, and strategically designed resting platforms that create intimate social spaces overlooking the lake. This approach transforms ordinary transit paths into immersive experiences, blending industrial heritage aesthetics with modern architectural expression.

Materiality and Industrial Aesthetic

The use of steel staircases, tensile membranes, and reinforced concrete walls recalls the industrial origins of the site while introducing modern architectural language. Weathered brick walls remain as tactile reminders of the past. The design successfully bridges historical preservation and contemporary functionality, creating opportunities for exhibitions, events, and cultural activities while filling the service gap in the industrial heritage park.

Cultural Significance and Urban Impact

Beyond its functional role, the Yueyang Hualinggang Pier Tourist Center serves as a cultural installation. By integrating the Cishi Pagoda into the spatial narrative, the design provides visitors with a deeper understanding of Yueyang’s history while celebrating the city’s modern trajectory. This site-specific renovation has revitalized the southern waterfront of the industrial heritage park, enhancing the city’s identity, promoting tourism, and fostering a sense of local pride.

All photographs are works of TAL