A Practical Guide to Chongqing’s TESTBED 2: History, Photo Spots & Routes

TESTBED 2, also known locally as Eling Erchang or the Eling No. 2 Printing Factory, is a creative district built out of old industrial buildings in Chongqing. If you like industrial architecture, streets and storefronts that photograph well, cafés, small shops, and spaces with an artsy feel, it’s worth adding to your Chongqing itinerary—especially if you want to see a younger, more creative side of the city.

History of TESTBED 2

TESTBED 2 wasn’t always a creative park. It was originally a printing factory for the Central Bank during the Republic of China period. After several reorganizations, it became the Chongqing No. 2 Printing Factory in 1953.

During its heyday, the factory produced many of the printed materials Chongqing residents used in daily life, from grain coupons and vouchers to commemorative stamps.

The factory closed and relocated in 2012 due to environmental concerns. In 2015, the industrial heritage renovation began. Instead of tearing everything down, the project preserved much of the old factory infrastructure, including the original walls, staircases, windows, and pipes. The area officially opened as today’s creative park in June 2017.

If you’re curious about the site’s background, it’s worth stopping by the No.2 Factory Memory Museum inside the park.

It features a comprehensive display of the factory’s past, including old photos of the site, printed products from its years as Chongqing No. 2 Printing Factory, everyday objects used by workers, and various banknotes from the Republic of China period.

This was actually the first time I had ever seen vertical banknotes and a banknote with a denomination of 500,000. It was a real eye-opener.

Getting to TESTBED 2

I drove there on a weekday, but the outdoor parking lot inside the park was already completely full, so I had to park in a nearby multi-story parking garage. Finding a spot on weekends or public holidays will only be harder, so taking a taxi is probably the easiest option.

You can also take bus 829 or 3201 and get off at Yinzhi Erchang station, which is right by the entrance.

Another option is to take Metro Line 1 to Eling Station, then walk about 1 km to TESTBED 2. The walk takes around 10–15 minutes, but there is an uphill section. In summer, or on a day when you already have a lot of walking planned, I’d think twice before choosing this route.

If you’re coming from the Liziba viewing platform, you can consider taking the orange shuttle bus. It connects the Liziba, Fotuguan, and TESTBED 2 area. The fare is 6 yuan per person. You can catch it near Exit 2 of Liziba Metro Station, and you can usually flag it down when you see it.

One quick tip: I wouldn’t recommend walking from Liziba to TESTBED 2, especially in summer or with heavy luggage. Although they look close on the map, only about 800 meters apart, the route is uphill most of the way. It also cuts through local residential areas, so it’s easier to get turned around than you might expect.

Things to do at TESTBED 2

TESTBED 2 has a very chill vibe. The main things to do here are taking photos, popping into little shops, and grabbing something to eat or drink.

The park has a map of recommended photo spots, so if you have enough time, you can follow it and slowly work your way through the main angles.

I was a bit short on time during this visit, so I didn’t cover every spot. I focused on a few of the more popular places where photos tend to turn out well.

The first spot I’d recommend is outside Maden Workwear. The storefront, the street setting, and the text painted on the pavement work well together. It’s easy to get a slightly magazine-cover-style shot here without trying too hard.

My favorite angle was the second-floor walkway near the Staircase Museum. From there, you can fit the person, the storefronts, and the street into one frame, which gives the photo much more depth than shooting from ground level.

The spot shown in the photo below is where you can go up to the walkway for the Maden Workwear photo angle.

Next to the walkway, there is also the Cyber Chongqing Museum. If you like mecha, cyber aesthetics, or futuristic installations, it’s worth a quick look while you’re there.

The second spot I’d recommend is the old TESTBED 2 iron gate. The rust, the raw factory texture, and the more modern commercial street around it create a strong contrast. This spot works well if you want a cooler, edgier photo. A hat or sunglasses would fit the mood well.

I originally planned to head up to the rooftop viewpoint for views of the Yuzhong Peninsula, but visibility wasn’t great that day. The photos probably wouldn’t have turned out well, so I skipped it.

In Chongqing, weather and visibility can make a big difference to viewpoint photos. There’s no need to force every single stop just to check it off a list. Leaving a little something for next time isn’t a bad idea.

A Simple Route Around TESTBED 2

There are several places within walking distance of TESTBED 2, but the route matters if you want the day to feel smooth.

I’d start by taking Metro Line 1 to Lianglukou Station and spending about 10 minutes riding the Huangguan Escalator. It gives you a direct feel for Chongqing’s steep terrain and unusual city transport.

After that, continue on Line 1 to Eling Station, then head toward TESTBED 2. If you still have enough time and energy, you can visit Eling Park and the Eling Trail before going to TESTBED 2.

Finally, you can go from TESTBED 2 to the Liziba viewing platform to see the monorail passing through the building. This direction is downhill, so the walk is easier. It’s about 800 meters, or you can take the orange shuttle bus instead.