To deeply explore the typical damage characteristics and vulnerability characteristics of workshop building (WB) in actual earthquakes, the empirical field reconnaissance and observation of the WB damaged to varying degrees in the Mw 8.0 earthquake in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, China on May 12, 2008 were conducted. The investigation results indicated that the typical seismic damage forms of industrial buildings in multiple intensity regions were: local and overall collapse, column cracking and crane beam displacement, collapse and cracking of wall, and damage of supporting and connecting members, the field investigation pictures of typical seismic damage were provided, respectively. According to different typical failure characteristics, the seismic damage mechanism and seismic capacity were analyzed, and the measures and suggestions to improve the seismic capacity of industrial buildings with different material categories were conducted. The conclusions can provide necessary reference for the revision of the seismic code of industrial plants and the seismic intensity scale of China.