China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City

China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City

The China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City is situated in Xianyang County, Putian City, Fujian Province—the “Capital of Chinese Classical Arts & Crafts Furniture.” With a total investment of 2.1 billion yuan, it covers an area of 345 mu and has a total construction area of 360,000 m². Comprising 13 magnificent buildings designed in the grand style of the Tang Dynasty, it is a high-end professional market integrating rosewood trading, exhibitions & conferences, catering & leisure, administrative business, and tourism & entertainment.

The Xianyang Arts & Crafts Industrial Park, where the Expo City is located, spans a planned area of 4.1 square kilometers. The park follows a “four zones and two cities” layout: the four zones include the classical arts & crafts furniture production zone, exhibition & trading zone, commercial supporting service zone, and resettlement zone; the two cities are the China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City and the Oil Painting City. The park has been listed as one of Fujian Province’s top ten cultural and creative industry parks. As a model project within the park and a key provincial project, the China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City has received high attention and strong support from leaders at the provincial, municipal, and county levels.

The Expo City is equipped with fully functional facilities including an exhibition center, conference center, museum, administrative center, quality inspection center, auction center, and logistics distribution center. Its comprehensive and high-standard regional planning has created a large-scale, modern integrated trade platform.

Project Rise

Xianyang boasts a long history of folk art and a rich cultural heritage, known as the “Zoulu by the Sea” and the “Famous Land of Literature.” It is honored as the “Capital of Chinese Classical Arts & Crafts Furniture,” the “Hometown of Drama,” the “Hometown of Traditional Chinese Painting,” and the “Hometown of Arts & Crafts.” Since the reform and opening-up, Xianyang’s arts & crafts industry has developed rapidly, forming eight major categories with over 10,000 products, including classical arts & crafts furniture, “six types of carving,” “six types of weaving,” painting, and lacquerware. Currently, the county hosts more than 3,400 arts & crafts enterprises, employing over 180,000 people, with an output value of 20 billion yuan in 2012, making it one of the country’s major producers of rosewood furniture and handicrafts.

Xianyang is renowned for “Xiàn Zuò” (Xianyang-style craftsmanship), one of China’s four great furniture styles. In 2006, Xianyang County was awarded the title of “Capital of Chinese Classical Arts & Crafts Furniture” by the China Arts & Crafts Association. It is the largest wood carving production base in China and one of the three major producers of classical rosewood furniture, with the rosewood furniture industry now being the most important and distinctive pillar industry in Xianyang.

To further promote the development of Xianyang’s rosewood industry, integrate industry resources, enhance the “Xiàn Zuò” brand, and facilitate industrial upgrading, the China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City—as the largest palatial-style commercial complex in the West Coast Economic Zone—has risen strongly. The project officially broke ground in August 2011, with the mission of “inheriting the essence of Chinese heritage and supporting local specialty industries.” From planning, construction, business integration, to operation management, it aims to build a national-level industrial platform. Since its launch in 2012, numerous leading rosewood furniture and handicraft brands have set up shops, including Dajia Zhijia, Huaming Huaju, Shanzhong Classical, Sanfu, and Gongpinxuan. The Expo City also recruits from major rosewood-producing regions such as Suzhou (Jiangsu), Dongyang (Zhejiang), Pingxiang (Guangxi), Dayong (Guangdong), and Dacheng (Hebei), bringing together the other three major furniture styles—Beijing, Guangzhou, and Suzhou—as well as exquisite crafts from around the world. The product range is diverse, featuring tens of thousands of high-quality items such as wood carvings, root carvings, antique furniture, and Ming-Qing-style furniture.

As one of China’s major rosewood distribution hubs, Xianyang has a marketing network covering the entire country and holds a 70% share of the high-end rosewood market, influencing 80% of China’s rosewood raw material transactions. Leveraging the aggregation effect of the China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City will undoubtedly greatly boost Xianyang’s rosewood industry, helping “Xiàn Zuò” enterprises achieve new heights and firmly establish dominance in the domestic rosewood market.

Three Major Features of the Project

Grand Tang-Style Palatial Architecture & Suzhou-Style Garden Landscapes

The architectural design of the China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City draws inspiration from the grand style of the Tang Dynasty’s Daming Palace. The overall layout follows the “nine-by-nine grid” pattern of the traditional Chinese feng shui concept, creating a majestic, expansive, and well-proportioned structure with a balanced interplay of solid and void elements. It also incorporates design elements from the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, making it a masterpiece of classical architecture. The roof decorations feature the hip-and-gable style, with simplified beams, columns, and corridors, while brackets (dougong) are highlighted. Window designs primarily use the “ice crack” pattern and decorative lattice windows. The architecture subtly integrates “Xiàn Zuò” elements, showcasing Xianyang’s unique cultural customs and profound historical heritage, complementing the spatial arrangement of “Xiàn Zuò” furniture to create a breathtaking visual experience.

In terms of landscape design, the Expo City introduces the world-renowned Suzhou-style gardens, featuring visible mountains and flowing water, with springs, waterfalls, and pools arranged in a dynamic layout. The multi-circuit design creates an effect of “multiple scenic views within a small area, like a mountain forest at your doorstep.” The gardens not only enhance the Expo City’s aesthetics and appeal but also serve as an ideal leisure destination, offering visitors a place to relax and immerse themselves in the embrace of greenery, experiencing a serene and spiritual connection with nature.

Pioneer in Premium Fully-Furnished Exhibition Halls

Upholding the philosophy of excellence both inside and out, the China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City pioneers a standard of premium fully-furnished exhibition halls, perfecting every detail to set a new benchmark for the classical arts & crafts industry. The Expo City’s star-rated exhibition halls follow unified and standardized designs, creating a vibrant array of themes that reflect a deep understanding of traditional Chinese home living, combined with the functional requirements of modern exhibition spaces, resulting in a distinctive environment. While maintaining close proximity to the outside world, the halls establish a clear distinction in sophistication and elegance. Additionally, the project spares no expense in using high-quality materials comparable to those used in iconic structures like the Bird’s Nest, Water Cube, and the China Pavilion at the World Expo, adhering to uncompromising craftsmanship to deliver a breathtaking, palace-like experience.

National AAAA-Level Tourist Attraction

On May 16, 2014, the Fujian Provincial A-Level Scenic Spot Evaluation Committee visited the China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City to assess its preparation for national AAAA-level scenic spot designation. The expert panel inspected the Expo City’s tourism transportation, visitor facilities, safety measures, environmental hygiene, and shopping options, providing constructive feedback and unanimously agreeing that it met the national AAAA-level standards.

In the future, the Expo City will not only become a must-visit destination for domestic and international tourists in Xianyang but also serve as the best global platform for the “Xiàn Zuò” industry. Through deep collaboration with the tourism sector, integrating tourism resources, developing tourism products, and hosting cultural events, the Expo City’s visibility and influence will be significantly enhanced.

Beyond its focus on rosewood commerce, the Expo City also offers high-end dining and entertainment, integrating fashionable and cutting-edge consumption to combine rosewood, tourism, and leisure into a vibrant entertainment hub for Xianyang, setting a new trend. Surrounding the Expo City, additional developments include an international five-star hotel, a rare rosewood botanical garden, SOHO office spaces, high-end leisure venues, the Mulanxi Park, and upscale residential areas, all of which will further elevate the overall image of the China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City.

Project Advantages

Trusted Market & Professional Inspection: The China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City is a nationally recognized trusted market for rosewood, featuring a 12315 consumer rights protection station and a provincial-level quality inspection center. It also collaborates with the authoritative Nanjing Forestry University Wood Research Center to provide professional rosewood authentication. With high entry standards for businesses, the Expo City ensures that all tenants are industry leaders in strength, brand, product quality, and service. All rosewood products sold here comply with China’s three guarantees policy, ensuring comprehensive after-sales service.

Advertising & Brand Enhancement: Since its opening, the market has consistently prioritized promotion and brand building, investing heavily in annual advertising campaigns. It partners with major media outlets for nationwide promotions across TV, online platforms, newspapers, and leading classical furniture magazines, along with extensive outdoor advertising and airport promotions to expand its reach.

The Expo City has gained significant popularity and brand recognition through its participation in events such as the Putian Arts & Crafts Expo, Xiamen Cultural Industries Fair, “Xiàn Zuò China Tour,” and the Xiamen 9·8 Investment & Trade Fair. These events have introduced the Expo City to peers, enthusiasts, and consumers in the rosewood industry. 2013 marked the “Brand Year” for the China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City, during which it participated in more prominent brand promotion activities, using this momentum to amplify the voice of Xianyang’s “Xiàn Zuò” rosewood industry.

Multi-Dimensional Transportation & Seamless Connectivity: Xianyang, where the Expo City is located, lies at the strategic heart of southeastern Fujian’s coastal region, facing Taiwan across the strait, bordering the provincial capital Fuzhou to the north, connecting to Quanzhou and nearby Xiamen to the south, and serving as a key component of the West Coast Economic Zone.

The Expo City is situated in the core area of Xianyang’s rosewood industry, just 1.5 km from Bangxia in Bàngtóu Town—the hub of Xianyang’s classical rosewood furniture production. Backed by the scenic Dafei Mountain and facing the Mulan River, it enjoys a beautiful environment. The surrounding area features a well-planned network of three horizontal and five vertical roads, connecting to the Puyong Expressway, Shenhai Expressway, Xiangang Avenue, and Xiuyu Port. The under-construction Putian Airport and Fengting High-Speed Railway Station are nearby, with direct access to Xiamen and Fuzhou within a 90-minute drive. The seamless integration of sea, land, and air transportation makes commuting extremely convenient.

Government Support & Association Presence: As a key provincial project, the China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City receives strong support from the Fujian provincial, municipal, and county governments, which frequently visit to inspect progress. In collaboration with the government, the Expo City provides policy incentives and support for tenant businesses, including tax benefits, administrative services, talent recruitment, children’s education, and financing. Diversified thematic recruitment efforts and in-depth market cultivation help shorten the time needed for business stabilization, accelerating the Expo City’s transition to stable operations.

The presence of the Fujian Classical Arts & Crafts Furniture Association further strengthens the Expo City. The association is home to many master artisans, including several renowned arts & crafts masters who will establish their own studios or exhibition spaces within the Expo City. Together, they will create the best showcase platform for “Xiàn Zuò” products, helping them reach households across China.

A wealth of activities and a city’s calling card: As the foremost representation of Xianyou’s image, the China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City has successfully hosted numerous large-scale corporate and institutional events since its construction, including the Xianyou County Celebration of the 91st Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China Art Exhibition, the First Putian Calligraphy and Painting Art Festival, and the Xianyou County Thousand-Person Arts and Crafts Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurship and Expo Preparation Mobilization Conference. These events have demonstrated the expo city’s strong capabilities in overall planning and brand operations.

In November 2013, the First China (Xianyou) Chinese Furniture Culture Summit Forum and Premium Rosewood Classical Furniture Expo will also be held at the China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City. It is expected to attract major domestic rosewood merchants, renowned rosewood experts, enthusiasts, and collectors to gather at the expo city to share in a grand celebration of rosewood art. In the first half of 2014, the expo city will complete all tenant recruitment and officially open for business.

Project Outlook:

The China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City is located in Xianyou, known as the capital of Chinese classical arts and crafts furniture, and situated in the core area of Xianyou’s rosewood industry. Boasting an exceptionally prime location, the project has attracted leading domestic rosewood enterprises and premium rosewood products. By integrating Xianyou’s high-end rosewood industry, it forms a headquarters base for the rosewood sector, driving rapid economic development in the local rosewood industry. The expo city’s leading position and authoritative expertise in the rosewood industry have garnered significant market attention and acclaim since its launch. It has successively received honors such as “Most Culturally Rich Property Development,” “Top Ten Honest and Professional Rosewood Furniture Markets in China 2012,” “China Pan-Furniture Industry Top 500 Developing Enterprises,” and “Chairman Unit Awarded by China Integrated Home Furnishing Alliance.”

Led by the government, the developer of the China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City will retain 60% of the property for perpetual operation, with an 8-year unified leaseback period and an exceptionally high annual rental return rate increasing from 6% to 9%. Seizing the opportunity presented by the China (Xianyou) Chinese Furniture Culture Summit Forum and Premium Rosewood Classical Furniture Expo, the expo city will intensify promotional efforts and host more rosewood culture-themed events to cultivate and refine a mature market system. The goal is to establish the expo city as the largest, most reputable, and most prestigious model of a specialized rosewood market in China.

Source: China Classical Arts & Crafts Expo City