'Beibei' brings crowds to famed Bear Cave Street

A 6-meter-tall mechanical polar bear named "Beibei" is drawing crowds to Bear Cave Street, a cyberpunk-themed destination that has become a social media sensation in Dalian, Liaoning province.

Unveiled in mid-2022, the attraction occupies less than 10,000 square meters and was transformed from an old factory workshop. In 2023, it welcomed 1.5 million visitors, with 60 percent coming from outside the city.

Beibei, weighing 25 metric tons and featuring 200 movable joints, performs daily shows that captivate audiences. On Tuesday, a crowd gathered as the mechanical bear blinked, shook its head and "awoke", prompting cheers. Operated by a technician, Beibei interacts with individuals in the audience, creating a lifelike experience.

"When I waved to it, it turned its head and blew air, making it seem alive," said a visitor from Beijing.

Xiao Di, founder of Dalian Betop Culture Technology Co and the architect of Bear Cave Street, said the street is more than a commercial venue. It preserves the city's industrial heritage while introducing a vibrant, modern aesthetic.

Located in Shahekou district's Wisdom Park, the project revitalized a site that once housed a factory established in 1930. The industrial park spans 200,000 square meters. "We've turned it into a new landmark for urban leisure tourism," Xiao said.

Combining historical architecture with loft-style interiors and punk design elements, Bear Cave Street offers dining, entertainment and beautiful decor inspired by Dalian's culture. It also features 148 types of Beibei-themed merchandise and a virtual-reality IP narrative that has garnered 2.5 million online fans. Videos of Beibei on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, have racked up more than 1 billion views.

The destination appeals especially to young people, with themed events such as anime expos, esports tournaments and electronic music festivals.

"Bear Cave Street has emotional value," said a netizen known as Dabaili. "It's become an iconic attraction in Dalian."

International visitors are equally impressed.

"Beibei is super big. I've never seen anything like this," said Sathsarani Kariyawasam, a Sri Lankan student at Dalian Medical University.

Xiao, whose company has created other large-scale mechanical installations, said Bear Cave Street's success lies in blending intellectual property, high-tech engineering and creative design to revitalize urban spaces.

The project was recognized by the China Tourism Academy last year as a model for high-quality tourism investment and development. Its success has spurred similar projects, including a mechanical tiger-themed venue under construction in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning.