URBEX – BEIJING – GUOSON MALL DONGZHIMEN – Grade A-

Guoson Mall in Dongzhimen is purportedly worth 14 billion yuan. You would think with a price tag like that the developers would have been able to shift the development by now. However, there have been difficulties with all negotiations over the last seven years, and it still remains vacant. There are two skyscrapers behind the mall. I climbed all 35 floors of the rear tower, and the view was amazing.

It should be pointed out, that this is an exceptionally dangerous site. There are holes in some of the top floors which go right down to the bottom. Throwing little pieces of rebar (steel construction bars) down these holes, I couldn’t even hear them hit the ground. Despite this, the surrounding area is frankly gorgeous.

The pools outside have been left to turn wild, and the place is ripe with sunflowers and aubergines planted by the migrant-workers who guard the place, who are probably more at home growing vegetables than protecting duff skyscrapers anyway. This is a very challenging Urbex, but I would be more than happy to take you with me. Just leave a comment.

Solana Hotel Chaoyang – Grade B+

      

Construction on the Solana Hotel was abandoned a few years ago. With its unique architectural styling including spiral staircases, and empty swimming pool, numerous towers, and best of all the secret tunnels that run under the basmement, Solana is a joy to explore and you will need at least a whole afternoon.

Maybe the best part about Solana is listening to the shoppers on the other side of the wall randomly buying stuff in the luxury mall. Also fun is spying on the resident security guard who spends most of his time asleep.

This is a solid Grade B+ site for Urbex.

Remember, if you or your friends would like to come Urbexing with me just send me a message, and we can set up a time to meet.

WARNING – This is an dangerous site, there is high risk of flooding on rainy days.

URBEX – BEIJING CAPITAL STEEL – Grade A+

Beijing Steel Works is a rare beast in the Urbex world. Not only is the site in an almost vacuum state where it feels like all the workers just put down their tools one day and left, but also the site is huge with more rust and corrupted cranes, pulleys, and conveyor belts that you could see in a week. This is definitely a Grade A site for Urbex.

Remember, if you or your friends would like to come Urbexing with me just send me a message, and we can set up a time to meet.

WARNING – This is an extremely dangerous site. Be careful for falling objects.