Old Beijing Bus Playground Revives Route 345 Memories

In Changping’s Sanjiaodi Park, a historic BK640 bus becomes a playful public landmark, mixing mobility memory with hands-on play for all ages.

In Sanjiaodi Park, Changping District, XISUI Design reframed an everyday relic into a public playground: a deconstructed BK640 bus rebuilt as a street-facing children’s space. The project is rooted in the collective memory of Bus Route 345, once a vital connection between Changping and central Beijing.

From commuting icon to playable landmark

The BK640 was never just transportation. First produced in 1957, it became part of daily life across Beijing, especially along Route 345. For many residents, the bus represents time, routine, and movement. The playground borrows that emotional recognition, transforming a familiar silhouette into a new civic experience.

Rather than creating a literal replica, the design breaks the bus into readable architectural fragments. This avoids a museum-like nostalgia and allows the structure to function as public infrastructure rather than a static object.

Two zones designed for different ways of play

The playground is divided into front and rear zones, separated by a pedestrian path that connects directly to the sidewalk. The front area is designed for younger children, featuring low-scale climbing, balance elements, role-play components, and tactile installations such as sand and interactive panels.

The rear zone supports more active and mixed-age play, including larger climbing structures, a double slide, trampoline, swings, seesaw, and ground games. Adults are invited to participate rather than observe passively, reinforcing shared social play.

Safety and supervision integrated into the layout

Located close to the street, safety is addressed through spatial planning rather than excessive barriers. A single controlled entrance faces the sidewalk, while transitional play elements prevent congestion near the edge. Seating and simple fitness bars for adults support natural supervision.

A streetscape object that belongs to the neighborhood

The playground remains visually subordinate to the surrounding trees, preserving the park’s green canopy. Its red-and-white palette references the original bus while remaining legible from a distance. Durable materials such as galvanized steel and carbonized bamboo were selected for long-term public use.

By transforming a familiar vehicle into a civic play space, XISUI Design created a neighborhood landmark that balances memory, function, and everyday use. The result is a playful yet grounded intervention that feels both local and lasting.