I think there really isn't much of a scene in the sense the GP is probably thinking. Most everyone here concentrates directly on work and family. Activities that are indirectly linked to work/technology like the typical networking-event-disguised-as-a-party just don't happen that much here. There are a few. It's much more about finding a selection of partner businesses that you can work with reliably.
Even the younger crowd I mentioned above who like the city center often amaze me... it's like they don't really understand how to just have fun. When they do go out for fun it's often to a canned experience of some sort that promises a good photo op and not much else.
There is, however, a "foreigner who has come here and wants to build something" scene. Those guys mostly hang out near the Huaqiangbei market and sort of replicate the Silicon Valley vibe. Many of them are from there.
I don't think there will be another Huaqiangbei. HQB's big driver was factory storefronts. Before the internet it let people set up their sourcing/manufacturing chain without having to travel all over China to find it. Now that's mostly unnecessary and everyone uses Taobao or other online manufacturing marketplaces to connect with vendors. Especially if you've moved out of the city center it's not efficient to waste a day traveling into town and visiting the market when you can have the sample you need show up tomorrow morning (for $1.50 shipping) if you order it online. I'll swing through HQB about once a year for fun, but never just go there for parts.
Thanks for the insight! The city center sure is a weird place, I don't think those mega-bars will ever make sense to me. I'd take Houhai in Beijing anyday.
Makes sense that Taobao/Alibaba have been able to fill the gap and get product shipped quickly.
Even the younger crowd I mentioned above who like the city center often amaze me... it's like they don't really understand how to just have fun. When they do go out for fun it's often to a canned experience of some sort that promises a good photo op and not much else.
There is, however, a "foreigner who has come here and wants to build something" scene. Those guys mostly hang out near the Huaqiangbei market and sort of replicate the Silicon Valley vibe. Many of them are from there.
I don't think there will be another Huaqiangbei. HQB's big driver was factory storefronts. Before the internet it let people set up their sourcing/manufacturing chain without having to travel all over China to find it. Now that's mostly unnecessary and everyone uses Taobao or other online manufacturing marketplaces to connect with vendors. Especially if you've moved out of the city center it's not efficient to waste a day traveling into town and visiting the market when you can have the sample you need show up tomorrow morning (for $1.50 shipping) if you order it online. I'll swing through HQB about once a year for fun, but never just go there for parts.