Sharing Shanxi with the World: Small Town Glass “Rings Out” Across the Globe

山西省祁县，一座人口仅24.9万的小城，凭借人工吹制玻璃器皿的百年工艺，将“中国制造”的精致与匠心传递到全球80多个国家和地区，成为名副其实的“中国玻璃器皿之都”。

Qixian County in Shanxi Province, with a population of just 249,000, has transformed its centuries-old handicraft of hand-blown glassware into a global phenomenon, delivering the finesse and craftsmanship of "Made in China" to over 80 countries and regions, earning its reputation as the "Glassware Capital of China."

百年技艺的传承与蜕变

The Evolution of a Century-Old Craft

祁县的人工吹制玻璃器皿工艺有着深厚的历史底蕴，它的起源与晋商文化密不可分——当年晋商沿“万里茶道”远赴异国经商，返乡时带回了这门古老的玻璃吹制技艺。几个世纪后的今天，祁县人不仅完整保留了这项传统工艺，更赋予它新的时代内涵，让曾经的“舶来品”成为代表中国工艺的“出口明星”。

The art of hand-blown glassware in Qixian boasts a profound historical legacy. The origins of this craft are deeply intertwined with Shanxi merchant culture—centuries ago, Shanxi merchants traveling along the "Ten-Thousand-Mile Tea Road" brought back this ancient glassblowing technique from their overseas ventures. Today, the people of Qixian have not only preserved this traditional craft but also infused it with modern significance, turning what was once an "imported skill" into a celebrated "export star" representing Chinese artistry.

全球市场的“隐形冠军”

The "Hidden Champion" of Global Markets

如今的祁县，3万从业人员在56家玻璃器皿企业及230家上下游企业中施展才华，生产了全国60%以上的人工吹制玻璃器皿。惊人的是，这座小城的玻璃器皿产量占全球总量的26%，年产能约30万吨，其中70%远销海外，年对外贸易额突破17亿元大关。

Today, Qixian is home to 30,000 skilled artisans working across 56 glassware enterprises and 230 upstream and downstream businesses, producing over 60% of China's hand-blown glassware. Remarkably, this small town accounts for 26% of the world's total output, with an annual production capacity of approximately 300,000 tons—70% of which is exported, generating over 1.7 billion yuan in foreign trade revenue.

祁县玻璃器皿的足迹遍布欧美、中东等主流市场，成为国际知名品牌的长期供应商。从卡塔尔世界杯官方授权的“粉色胜利杯”，到宜家、玛萨、沃尔玛等国际零售巨头的圣诞季玻璃制品，祁县制造的影子无处不在。这些产品不仅工艺精湛，更巧妙融入了各国文化元素，展现出非凡的市场适应能力。

Qixian's glassware has made its mark in major markets across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond, becoming a long-term supplier for internationally renowned brands. From the officially licensed "Pink Victory Cup" of the Qatar World Cup to the festive glassware lining the shelves of IKEA, Macy's, and Walmart, Qixian's craftsmanship is ubiquitous. These products not only showcase exquisite technique but also cleverly incorporate cultural elements from around the world, demonstrating exceptional market adaptability.