《北京青年报》2008年9月26日 No382期 英文版《Beijing Today》报道幸福公社和大麦的城市探险活动

Qingdao

   Beginning for urban exploration

By Zhang Dongya

   Urban exploration(UE)came to Qingdao last June,with the biggest local organization of xingfu Gongshe,the Happy Club.

  “Every city has some old faces that have been forgotten ,even Qingdao .Thousands of people may have worked in the big factories beside roaring machines,but now only broken walls and pillars remain .The ruins are only a short distance from the flourshing downtown,but people seldom see them.Just like the two sides of one coin ,they are beside each other ,but never meet,”

    Damai ,the founder of the Happy Club,said .He and others have a love affair with the city's "B-side".

    Unlike other UE teams visting places in secret ,the Happy Club chooses to inform all gatekeepers in advance,If rejected,they offer written materails leke a letter of introduction to get permission.

     The abandoned Qingdao Tongtai Rubber Factor is a good start for explorers.It was one of the biggest rubber factories in the country away at its government support.

       The abandoned factory is full of industrial waste and spider webs.Although located on a crowded street,nobody sees it since a trap blocks it from public view.Stairs at the back of the building lead to its three floors,but many steps are broken and the climb is dangerous .The first floor was a big workshop with an open area.Rooms on the top floor were offices,since you can still see old telephone numbers that were five to six digits.

     The No2 Qingdao Vircycle Factory and the abandoned villa area on Donghai Road are also good exploration sites .Since urban exploration is relatively to Qingdao ,there are stille more discoveries awaiting the adventurous.