A place to create a creative space

People enjoy a slow life pace, engage in meaningful communication and savor coffee and food with old and new friends at 706 Youth Space near Wudaokou in Beijing. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The opportunity to sleep in a rooftop tent drew Nankai University graduate Wang Xingjian to 706 when he came to Beijing.

"It sounded interesting," he says.

"So, I gave it a shot."

Wang decided to make it his temporary residence while in Beijing because of its various activities and convenient location.

He has met many fascinating people there, including a yoga trainer, engineers, musicians and academics.

"It's a special place where you can learn and engage in meaningful conversations," says Wang.

706 has morphed since its 2012 founding from a private space for college students to talk and host activities to a sharing community that fuses private and public functions.

"Public areas like the cafe and library enable people to make connections and exchange ideas," Wu says.

"Private spaces are mostly for living."

Zhao Danmeng learned about 706 from a friend when she worked in Japan two years ago.

"I was interested in the idea of a youth space and library," she recalls.

"I told myself I'd like to live in a place like that if I ever returned to China."