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.

文化赋能与产业升级

Cultural Empowerment and Industrial Innovation

在祁县红海玻璃文化艺术园的展厅内，上万件流光溢彩的玻璃制品构成一个晶莹剔透的艺术世界：造型各异的花瓶、精巧别致的分酒器、玲珑剔透的玻璃杯……这里不仅是产品展示中心，更成为游客必到的文化打卡地。

Inside the exhibition hall of Qixian's Red Sea Glass Culture and Art Park, tens of thousands of radiant glass pieces create a shimmering artistic universe: vases of varied designs, elegant decanters, and delicate drinking glasses… This space is more than just a product showcase—it has become a cultural landmark for visitors.

展厅墙壁上一幅巨大的“一带一路”区域合作图尤为醒目，清晰标注着祁县玻璃出口中东、西亚、东南亚、俄罗斯等地的贸易路线。这张地图不仅记录着产品的出口足迹，更象征着传统工艺与现代商贸的完美结合。

A striking feature of the exhibition is a massive map of regional cooperation under the "Belt and Road" initiative, vividly marking Qixian's glass export routes to the Middle East, West Asia, Southeast Asia, Russia, and beyond. This map not only traces the journey of these glass products but also symbolizes the perfect marriage of traditional craftsmanship and modern commerce.

从传统走向未来的“金字招牌”

A "Golden Brand" Bridging Tradition and the Future

从“万里茶道”带回的技艺，到“一带一路”上的畅销商品，祁县玻璃器皿的全球化之路，正是中国传统文化创造性转化、创新性发展的生动写照。这座小城用晶莹剔透的玻璃制品，向世界讲述着中国制造的品质故事，传递着东方匠人的执着精神。

From a skill brought back along the "Ten-Thousand-Mile Tea Road" to a best-selling commodity along the "Belt and Road," the globalization of Qixian's glassware is a vivid testament to the creative transformation and innovative development of Chinese traditional culture. Through its translucent glass creations, this small town tells the world a story of Chinese manufacturing excellence and the enduring spirit of Eastern artisans.

（图源网络侵删）

(The image source is from the internet. If infringement, it will be deleted.)

来源：中华网综合整理

Source: Comprehensive collation by sx.china.com