Chinese guitar capital’s stairway to export heaven

In a small town in southwestern China's Guizhou Province, the guitar industry has become a major export business. Zheng'an, a town once without any guitar-making industry, now produces one in every seven guitars sold worldwide. The rise of the industry in Zheng'an can be attributed to China's industrial strategy, which involves local and central government investment to maximize favorable local conditions.

In 2012, the local authorities launched an initiative called "return the phoenix to the nest" to encourage skilled migrant workers to return home and start businesses. This initiative led to the establishment of Shenqu Guitar, the first guitar manufacturer to settle in Zheng'an's new economic zone. The town's working-age residents previously left for employment in Guangdong, China's manufacturing hub.

The town's natural advantages, such as a climate suitable for guitar-making, played a significant role in its success. Master luthier Zhang Weiyi, who relocated his business from Guangzhou in 2019, highlighted the importance of these natural advantages, stating that he produces around 150 guitars a year.

The Chinese government's comprehensive financial, tax, and employment support packages further boosted the industry. For instance, some companies were offered three-year tax exemptions and 10 years of free rent. Additionally, the town benefits from streamlined export-rebate procedures, which received 147 million yuan in tax reductions and exemptions from January to July 2025 alone.

The guitar industry in Zheng'an has not only boosted the local economy but also improved the quality of life for its residents. Master luthier Zhang described the atmosphere in the town's main square as "really nice", with many adults and kids carrying guitar cases, likely for guitar lessons. This unique blend of economic benefits and a pleasant atmosphere has made Zheng'an the "Capital of Guitars, City of Music".