Stones are elegant, stylish, and cool to the touch. They are associated with luxury and sophistication. Stones are widely used in construction, as decoration, and as material for gravestones. For over a decade, China has been exporting over 20 million tons of stone every year. The largest base of China’s stone industry is in Xiamen. In Xiamen, the annual stone fair takes place. We recommend a visit to the factory combined with participation in the trade show for a better offer. It is worth considering the date of the visit – it should not coincide with the most important Chinese holidays, which may fall on a different date every year. How to get the best deals in this region of stone production in China?
About Xiamen
Xiamen is in the southeast of China, in Fujian province. It is a port city situated beside the Taiwan Strait. Since 1981, the city has the status of a special economic zone. Xiamen focuses on the development of five major industries – electronic information, equipment production, tourism and culture, modern logistics, and financial services.
The city maintains partner relations with Baltimore.
Xiamen – a stone production region in China
There are over 12,000 stone processing factories in and around Xiamen. According to estimates, 60% of Chinese and 15% of the global stone trade volume is a direct result of the activities of the stone industry in Xiamen. As many as 1/3 of exports from Xiamen port are stones and their products. The proximity of stone-producing bases like Shuitou and Yunfu has undoubtedly contributed to this. Factories are located, for example, in the districts like Tong’an, Xiang’an, Huli and Haicang.
It is worth pointing out that visits to factories and getting to them are time-consuming. Therefore, do not settle for a short stay.
Stone trade fairs in Xiamen
Stone fairs have been organized in Xiamen since 2001. The Xiamen International Stone Fair is one of the most significant trade fair events in the industry. On an area of 180 thousand square meters, about two thousand exhibitors present their products. The fair annually attracts approximately 200 thousand participants from 150 countries and regions. During the event, a congress aimed at sharing knowledge and experience is held.
Among the offered products, you can find blocks and slabs made of granite, marble, limestone, sandstone, and other stones. Some of the exhibited stone products are countertops, sculptures, stone furniture, gravestones, and mosaics. The exhibitors also present products for stone preservation.
Location: Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center, Xiamen, Fujian, China
Website: stonefair.org.cn
Region of stone production in China. A Guide
How to get to Xiamen?
1. By plane
Ten kilometers from downtown Xiamen, the Xiamen-Gaoqi International Airport is located. You can reach the city by bus, shuttle or taxi. Buses run between 6:30 AM and 10:10 PM; the fare is from 1 to 15 RMB. A taxi ride to downtown costs around 40 RMB.
In 2023, Xiamen Xiang’an Airport will be opened.
2. By bus
Buses and coaches usually stop at five main stations in Xiamen. From the Hubin bus stop, buses run to/from Guangdong, Sichuan, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Hainan, and Chongqing. The Fanghu stop serves lines reaching/from the provinces: Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Zhejiang, Shandong, Sichuan, Jiangsu. Wucun bus stop lines connect Xiamen with other major cities of Fujian province.
3. By train
Two train stations are available in Xiamen. The main railway station of Xiamen in the Siming District is connected with Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Chongqing, and Kunming by railway. The cost of a ticket ranges from several dozen to over a thousand RMB. It all depends on the selected class and distance. Arriving from such cities Fuzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, Hangzhou or Chongqing, you can also get to the North Station in the Jimei District. It is the main connection of the Fuzhou – Xiamen, Longyan – Xiamen and Xiamen – Shenzhen railway lines.
How to get around Xiamen?
Over 5,000 taxis operate in Xiamen. Generally, it isn’t very easy to communicate with taxi drivers in English; therefore, we advise you to write your destination in Chinese characters. The fares are 10 RMB for the first 3 km. For each additional kilometer on the route over 3 kilometers, the rate is 2 RMB, and on the route over 8 kilometers – 3 RMB.
Two metro lines are currently open; more are under construction. The fare is between 2 and 6 RMB.
The bus system in Xiamen is well-developed, and the buses are modern. There are almost 200 bus lines. Most of them operate between 6 AM and 11 PM. The cost of the ticket on most lines is 1 RMB.
Another option is to use the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system. Several lines are available, and the cost of a ticket is a minimum of 0.6 RMB per kilometer.
Check out our posts on other production regions.