A village resident tinkers with instrument parts. [Photo/WeChat account: jhgbdsxww]
In Tianjin's Jinghai district, Sidangkouzhong village has spent half a century cultivating a thriving musical instrument industry, earning its reputation as China's "hometown of musical instruments".
Home to 36 instrument factories, the village produces over 100 types of brass and woodwind instruments, with more than 80 percent exported worldwide.
An impressive 60 percent of local farmers have become skilled instrument craftsmen, while 70 percent can play at least one instrument, creating a community where music is a part of life for people of all ages.
The village's journey began in the 1970s when villagers learned key-making techniques from a professional factory. By the 1980s, as domestic demand surged, local production scaled up significantly.
A pivotal moment came in 2000 when Tianjin Oves Musical Instrument exported flutes directly for the first time, breaking into international markets with high-quality product known for their precise intonation and competitive pricing.
Other manufacturers followed suit by developing niche instruments like oboes and bassoons, with the "Carille" brand now being sold in the German market.
Quality improvement and brand building have become central to the village's strategy. Local companies have registered over 20 proprietary brands and now regularly showcase their products at prestigious international exhibitions.
The village is home to a thriving music education scene too, with primary school students learning instruments from third grade, fostering both cultural enrichment and future talent for the industry. Elderly residents have formed saxophone ensembles, while factory workers maintain their own bands.
The community's deep musical roots ensure that instrument-making expertise is complemented by artistic sensibility, creating products with superior tonal quality that carry the village's proud traditions to the world.