Day 48: Jisco

Jisco is the Jiuquan Iron and Steel Group Company, and this morning we presented their exhibition hall and taken to see what of their sheet steel processing plants.

Asides from tourism, Jisco is again the lifeblood of Jiayuguan and has indeed done very well for the community. Their staff all receive very impressive salaries, the company has built apartment blocks, a swimming pool, gymnasium and parks for the community also. As a company, they had very difficult beginnings due to circumstances of the late-50's and 60's but since the 80's have done very well. They produce a variety of steel products: plate, wire, stainless steel; and have a thriving research and development division.

In recent years Jisco has diversified into other areas, one of their newest venture being the Zixuan Winery. Their first bottles of wine were produced in 2006, and immediately began winning awards. It is a fast growing operation, with a vineyard of 50,000 mu, and cellar of 5,700 oak barrels. They produce a selection of dry red wines and ice wines.

Jiayuguan is a highly developed region with thriving and supportive industries, and surely a bright future.