Shiling, Guangzhou

In 2017, the town achieved a total GDP of 10.759 billion Yuan, a 7.5% from the previous year.^[1] The town's primary sector makes up 3.5% of Shiling's GDP, the secondary sector makes up 61.0%, and the tertiary sector makes up 35.5% of the GDP.^[1]

Shiling was originally and remains an agricultural community. Primary produce are rice, fruits, vegetables, flowers, nursery stock and the breeding of poultry and fish.^[9]

Leather production in Shiling began in the 1970s,^[10] when the central government promoted industrial development of Shiling focused on the leatherworking industry, by encouraging farmers to integrate leather production into their lifestyle.^{[citation needed]} Prior to the 2000s, Shiling primarily produced low and medium quality leather goods for Chinese markets.^[10] Beginning in the year 2000, the city began hosting the Shiling Leather and Leather Goods Festival (狮岭皮革皮具节), a trade fair for the leather industry.^[10] During the late 2000s, the local government made a concerted effort with local businesses to increase the quality of the town's leather goods, and to internationalize the city's industry.^[10] Part of this effort included the creation of a post-doctoral research institute devoted to leather research, and a design institute meant to train people to become leather workers and leather designers.^[11]

Shiling's leather industry now comprises 8,000 enterprises producing leather, employing approximately 300,000 employees.^[2] Over 2,600 brands manufacture their leather goods in Shiling, including Guess, Coach, and Walmart.^[2]

The Shiling leather industry was worth 4.7 billion yuan in 2002 ^[12] and 9 billion in 2009.^[13]

During the 2000s, the town experienced significant development along the G94 Pearl River Delta Ring Expressway.^[8] The real estate developments in Shiling have been advertised as a "golden corridor" (黄金走廊) and "tomorrow's satellite city" (明日卫星城).^[8]

Despite its reputation as an industrial center, the local government has made an effort to promote the town's tourism industry in the 21st century.^[8] The town's government has promoted local mountains and historical sites as destinations, while also hosting cultural festivals centered on local folk culture.^[8]

The northern part of Shiling hosts a temple dedicated to Pangu built in 1809, and rebuilt in 1901 after being burned.^[14] The temple was neglected for many years, renovated (1984–86) and reopened.^[7] The temple is promoted as a tourist attraction and pilgrimage site. The temple is noted for being the site of a large lion dance, waterfall, and clean spring water from Longkou spring, which is believed to have healing properties.^[14][7] A festival is held on the birthday of Pangu, the 12th day of the 10th month of the Chinese lunar calendar.^[7]

Following the tourist draw of the Pangu temple, other resorts have been opened in the nearby mountain areas.

Two major highways run through Shiling: the Guangqing Expressway and the Zhaohua Expressway [zh].^[1] Three major railways run through Shiling: the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway, the Wuhan-Guangzhou Railway, and the Guangzhou-Qingyuan Railway.^[1]

Leather Companies In China

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