Shiling is a town in Huadu District, Guangzhou. In the 1970s the government began centrally planned industrialization of Shiling as a leatherworking town. The town is now a major center for the leatherworking industry in China. The town spans an area of 136.31 square kilometers, and is home to 300,000 residents.
Etymology
Its name means "Lion Ridge", so called because of the local mountain ridge that is shaped like a lion. Shiling Town has long consisted of small farms abutting the mountains from which it gets its name.
Archeological records indicate that the area around present-day Shiling was engaged in worship of the Chinese deityPangu as far back as 500 CE. Shiling was founded as a hamlet in the Qing dynasty some time during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor. Hong Xiuquan, leader of the Taiping Rebellion, developed his revolutionary theory and wrote many of his famous works while staying in Shiling at the YuanFloral Hall, the ruins of which are still visible. Shiling was reorganized into a commune in 1953, into a region in 1983, and most recently into a town in 1986.
Demographics
As of 2017, the town reported a resident population of 300,000 people, of which, 58,000 were registered residents under the Hukou system.
Economy
In 2017, the town achieved a total GDP of 10.759 billion Yuan, a 7.5% from the previous year. 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.
Farming
Shiling was originally and remains an agricultural community. Primary produce are rice, fruits, vegetables, flowers, nursery stock and the breeding of poultry and fish.
Leather industry
Leather production in Shiling began in the 1970's, when the central government promoted industrial development of Shiling focused on the leatherworking industry, by encouraging farmers to integrate leather production into their lifestyle. Prior to the 2000's, Shiling primarily produced low and medium quality leather goods for Chinese markets. Beginning in the year 2000, the city began hosting the Shiling Leather and Leather Goods Festival, a trade fair for the leather industry. During the late 2000's, 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. 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. Shiling's leather industry now comprises of 8,000 enterprises producing leather, employing approximately 300,000 employees. Over 2,600 brands manufacture their leather goods in Shiling, including Guess, Coach, and Walmart. The Shiling leather industry was worth 4.7 billion yuan in 2002 and 9 billion in 2009.
Recently, "Western-style" suburban developments have been built in Shiling. The developments are close to the scenic mountains with easy transportation to Guangzhou. The real estate developments in Shiling have been advertised as a "golden corridor" and "tomorrow's satellite city".
Tourism
Tourism to Shiling is being promoted with attractions such as mountain resorts, local folk culture, the Pangu cultural festival, and the revolutionary historical site Yuan Floral Hall among others.
Pangu Temple
The northern part of Shiling hosts a temple dedicated to Pangu built in 1809, and rebuilt in 1901 after being burned. The temple was neglected for many years, renovated and reopened. 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. A festival is held on the birthday of Pangu, the 12th day of the 10th month of the Chinese lunar calendar.
Mountain Resorts
Following the tourist draw of the Pangu temple, other resorts have been opened in the nearby mountain areas.
