Nice place to keep warm

The small place supplies up to 70 percent of all woolen clothing in the country. [Photo by Gao Erqang/China Daily]

He rented a 1,000-square-meter workshop in 1997, and bought 1.67 hectares of land in 2004, where he built a new plant.

His business peaked in 2003, when he had 300 employees and could produce 50 million pieces of wool clothing.

Chen also opened a factory shop at the Puyuan wool clothing innovation park in 2015, as the local government sought to promote industrial tourism.

The shop would receive 10,000 to 20,000 tourists a day during peak season, he says.

Chen is one of the 200 brands that are in the innovation park.

It was built in 2013 to showcase the culture and development of Puyuan.

Roughly 50 of the brands have their own retail shops there.

The brands used to have only production plants and engage in wholesales business, but were encouraged to open outlets in the park to boost retail sales and, more importantly, to showcase their products and promote their brands.

But the shop decoration has to meet certain standards, says Mo Fan, general manager of the Huaxin Industrial Group, which built the park.

"Now, more brands are also working to open shops," says Mo.

The park is also aiming to bring in local culture.

"We hope visitors who come (to the park) also learn about the history of Puyuan."

To date, a culture demonstration center has been built at the park.

Sightseeing belt has been in place.

Most of the wool products are sold at close to wholesales prices.

So far, most tourists come from neighboring cities, including Hangzhou, Ningbo and Shanghai, says Mo.

Meanwhile, a tourism town is under construction and involves an investment of 10 billion yuan. It will cover an area of 160 hectares and features a water town. It is expected to open in 2019.

Chen says the park will grow popular.

"This is just the beginning. More visitors will come when all the ongoing projects are completed," he says.

Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn