Amid the verdant mountains and clear waters of Rong’an in northern Guangxi, fragrant cypress is more than just a tree—it is a survival code etched into the very fabric of the local people’s identity, the bedrock of their development, and a cultural totem. From the unbroken lineage of cultivation dating back to the 25th year of the Hongwu reign in the Ming Dynasty to the vigorous rise of a multi-billion-dollar industrial chain in the new era, the people of this land have never ceased to protect and cultivate fragrant cypress. And Zhuangxiang has been both a firsthand witness and a leading force in the transformation and upgrading of Rong’an’s fragrant-cypress industry, dedicating two decades to breathing new, contemporary vitality into this ancient species.

        I. Six Centuries of Enduring Legacy: Living off the Land—A Gift from Nature and a Timeless Commitment
“The people of Rong’an have always lived by and with the mountains,” a way of life that is by no means one of idle complacency, but rather an expression of profound reverence for nature’s gifts—and a time-honored survival wisdom passed down through generations. Historical records show that as early as the 25th year of the Hongwu reign in the Ming Dynasty, the ancestors of Rong’an first began the practice of cultivating fragrant cypress trees on a large scale. Over the course of more than six centuries, the fragrant cypress has become inextricably linked to this land and its people, their fates intertwined in life and death.

In the 1980s, forestry became Rong’an’s “lifeline,” with the “timber-based fiscal system” underpinning half of the county’s economy. Annual logging exceeded 100,000 cubic meters, and timber taxes accounted for more than 30% of the county’s fiscal revenue. Fragrant cedar grows slowly, taking 20 to 30 years to reach maturity—precisely the span of time it takes for a child to go from birth to university entrance. For this reason, locals refer to selling fragrant cedar as “earning tuition money.” Each towering fragrant cedar tree is the hope of countless families, a solid stepping stone to changing their fate, and the bearer of generation after generation of Rong’an residents’ dreams of education and prosperity.

However, as the tides of the times surged forward, the National Natural Forest Protection Program was fully launched in 1998, bringing an abrupt end to the decades-long “timber-based fiscal model.” Was the only way forward to continue relying on the old practice of selling logs—only to deplete resources and fall into decline—or to make a bold, all-or-nothing move and blaze a new trail? The resilient people of Rong’an answered: instead of selling logs, sell processed wood products; turn lush mountains and clear waters into mountains of gold and silver.

          II. Breaking the Mold and Ushering in a New Era: From Selling Logs to Selling Wood Panels—Zhuangxiang Rides the Waves
After 2000, wood-processing plants sprang up across Rong’an like mushrooms after a rain, marking the official start of a transformative upgrade that would determine the very survival of the industry and the well-being of local residents. In 2005, Zhuangxiang Group was founded, taking root in Rong’an’s fertile soil of fragrant Chinese fir and sharing the same destiny as the region’s local industries.

Starting from a modest, makeshift factory, Zhuangxiang has always understood that the competitive edge of Rong’an Xiangshan lies not only in its uniquely advantageous natural resources, but also in the six centuries of accumulated craftsmanship and time-honored reputation. The company has firmly positioned itself in the core market segment of Xiangshan solid-wood, richly fragrant panels, staying true to its original mission of “rooted in nature, dedicated to health,” and striving to bring out the full potential of Rong’an Xiangshan’s innate strengths: robust material quality, a mellow, enduring fragrance, and eco-friendly, health-conscious attributes.

Unlike conventional rough processing, Zhuangxiang meticulously crafts each board with artisanal care: selecting only the finest logs from Rong’an’s 1.39 million mu of premium fragrant cedar forests, and rigorously adhering to time-honored traditional techniques alongside modern standards. From material selection and cutting to kiln-drying and veneer application, every step is refined to perfection. This not only transforms fragrant cedar from a raw log into a high-end panel but also pushes the boundaries of traditional wood applications, bringing Rong’an fragrant cedar into the home interiors of countless families.

This pivotal leap marks a remarkable transformation for the people of Rong’an—from “living off the mountains” to “cultivating and enriching the mountains.” Once merely sold as raw material, fragrant cedar has, through the meticulous craftsmanship of enterprises like Zhuangxiang, been refined into high-value ecological wood panels. This not only safeguards Rong’an’s lush green hills and clear waters but also revitalizes the fragrant cedar industry, injecting strong momentum into the county’s economy.

          III. The Rise of the Industry: A Ten-Billion-Yuan Industrial Chain—Rong’an Xiangshan’s Answer for the Times
Over the past two decades of relentless effort through thick and thin, Zhuangxiang has grown from a newcomer in the industry into a national key leading enterprise in the forestry sector, a dual leading enterprise in Guangxi’s forestry and agricultural industries, and one of the top ten brands in the ecological board market—while the Rong’an fragrant cedar industry has long since matured into a towering tree.

As of 2024, Rongan County’s fragrant cedar plantation area has reached 1.39 million mu, with an annual harvest capacity exceeding 600,000 cubic meters and an annual output of 2.2 million cubic meters of solid-wood ecological boards made from fragrant cedar, accounting for half of Guangxi’s total production. The industry has evolved from single-product board manufacturing to diversified operations encompassing fragrant cedar culture, eco-tourism, and forestry carbon sinks, driving the entire industrial chain to a total output value of over RMB 15.7 billion. More than 230 wood-processing enterprises are clustered across the county, providing employment for 15,000 people and establishing fragrant cedar as a core pillar of rural revitalization in Rongan.

Behind this lies the unwavering commitment and industry leadership of companies like Zhuangxiang. As a leading brand in China’s fragrant cedar sector and a benchmark for industry excellence, Zhuangxiang not only invests heavily in product R&D but has also played a pivotal role in formulating numerous industry standards, including the “Fragrant Cedar Solid Wood Ecological Board” and the “Customized Fragrant Cedar Home Furnishings Specifications,” thereby filling critical domestic gaps. Moreover, Zhuangxiang actively promotes fragrant cedar culture, weaving the six-century history of Rong’an fragrant cedar and its intangible cultural heritage into the very essence of the brand, further enhancing its reputation as the “Shaper of Chinese Fragrant Cedar Culture.” Today, Zhuangxiang’s fragrant cedar panels are exported to France, the Netherlands, Dubai, and other countries and regions, enabling Rong’an fragrant cedar to go global and earn worldwide acclaim.

         IV. Deep Bond of Blood: Fragrant Cedar by Your Side for Life, Majestic Elephant Upholds Your Original Aspiration
Over six centuries, the fragrant cedar has become inseparable from every stage of the lives of the people of Rong’an—from the cedarwood basin used for bathing at birth, to the desks and beds that accompany their childhood and adolescence, to the cedar wedding trousseau presented at marriage, and even to the final resting place after a century. Throughout it all, the cedar has stood by the people of Rong’an, accompanying them from cradle to grave. This deeply ingrained emotional bond is the original aspiration that drives the people of Rong’an to protect the cedar—and it is also the solid foundation that empowers Zhuangxiang to cultivate this industry with unwavering dedication.

“Where there is home, there is Zhuangxiang”—this is not merely a brand statement; it is Zhuangxiang’s unwavering commitment to Rong’an, to Xiangshan, and to millions of families. For two decades, Zhuangxiang has remained firmly rooted in Rong’an, in perfect harmony with its hometown. Using Xiangshan as the bridge and quality as the foundation, we have not only safeguarded the ecological integrity of the 1.39 million-mu Xiangshan forest but also ensured healthy, safe homes for millions of families through our meticulously crafted wood-based panels.

From a traditional reliance on “wood-based finances” to the green rise of a multi-billion-dollar industrial chain; from a crude, raw-wood–selling model to high-quality development that builds brands, promotes culture, and safeguards health—through six centuries of unwavering dedication and more than two decades of innovation, the people of Rong’an have brought to life the vivid principle that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” As a pivotal force in this transformation, Zhuangxiang will continue to take fragrant cypress as its soul and artisanal craftsmanship as its brush, writing a new chapter for the fragrant cypress industry on Rong’an’s fertile land, ensuring that the six-century-old cypress culture is passed down from generation to generation and thrives endlessly.