Banfu

Were Banfu’s streets always this bustling? Banfu town, nestled in southwest Zhongshan, has a history stretching back over two centuries to the Qing Dynasty. It’s hard to imagine this now-thriving town, a hub of light manufacturing, as a quiet agricultural community. Banfu sits between Banweishui Cay and Furongsha Cay. This location gave the town its name, a combination of the first characters of each cay. Banfu covers 82 square kilometers. It encompasses 10 village committees and one resident committee. Its population is a vibrant mix of over 30,000 permanent residents, more than 70,000 non-local residents, and 6,000 overseas Chinese. The town’s location, a mere 12 kilometers from Zhongshan’s downtown, contributes to its accessibility. National Highway 105, major trunk roads, and the Beijing-Zhuhai Highway form a convenient transportation network. This makes Banfu easily reachable from major cities like Guangzhou and Zhuhai. Banfu has earned several accolades. It’s been recognized as a National Hygienic Town, a National Ecological Town, and a Provincial Educationally Distinguished Town. It also holds the title of Provincial Pilot Town of Scientific and Technological Innovation. The town’s industrial prowess is evident in its recognition as a Town Specializing in Manufacturing America-style Furniture in Guangdong Province. Banfu’s industrial landscape is clustered around four key sectors: furniture, toys, leather, and textiles. Over 80 furniture manufacturers operate within Banfu, covering a plant area of 2100 mu. Their combined output value reached an impressive US$151 million in 2007. The town’s toy manufacturing industry comprises 16 factories. They process plastic and electronic toys for internationally renowned brands. The leather processing sector boasts 40 factories and a significant output value. High-end brands like Coach and Polo have their products processed here, adding to Banfu’s international reputation. Banfu’s textile and garment industry is another substantial contributor to the local economy. It boasts 110 factories, mirroring Zhongshan’s position as a key manufacturing base in the Pearl River Delta. Banfu’s transformation from a traditional agricultural town to a modern manufacturing hub is a testament to its resilience and strategic development. It’s a remarkable story of growth and adaptation.