Industrial park becoming convenient 'tiny city' in Hainan province

The government of Hainan province is growing one of its software industrial parks into a "tiny city", where people can live, work, and be entertained, and where children can get an education – all within a 15-minute walk.

As one of the 13 key industrial parks of the Hainan free-trade port, Hainan Free Trade Port Resort Software Community, which is located in the province's northwestern Chengmai county, has received more than 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) in investments to build a comprehensive space that weaves together the needs of the natural environment, production, and people's lives.

"It's really cool to see that our office is located in a park with beautiful scenery, isn't it?" said Cai Yao, a worker at an IT company in the industrial park; pointing to lush vegetation and a lake outside the company's office window.

"Is it like working in a tropical rain forest?" he asked.

Having worked in the company's headquarters in Beijing for two years, Cai moved to Hainan in 2018 and is now the head of the research and development team there.

The beautiful scenery, the low cost-of-living, the convenient facilities all make the place a favorite for the 32-year-old, who bought an apartment in the industrial park.

After work, he often participates in seminars and activities held by hobby clubs within the industrial park, including for chess, basketball, badminton, and camping.

"Benefiting from the convenience and comfort brought by the slow life in the 'tiny city' of the industrial park, my hair is still thick, unlike most software professionals in big cities who suffer severe hair loss because of the great working pressure and long working hours," Cai said with a smile.

With fast construction and development, the industrial park has attracted more young talent like Cai as it has taken shape, and enterprises as well that have relocated there.

Official statistics show revenue from the industrial park rose by more than 50 billion yuan between 2016 and 2020, which was five times the amount between 2011 and 2015.

As of the end of last year, more than 13,500 enterprises had registered in the industrial park, marking a year-on-year growth of 14 percent.