Shandong's long johns village weaves warmth, wealth

As winter approaches, Yaojiapo village in Tai'an, East China's Shandong province, is buzzing with activity. The hum of sewing machines fills the air as trucks transport shipments of long johns across China. This "long johns village" has turned warmth into a thriving industry.

With more than 160 of its 380 households involved in knitting, the village produces an impressive 80 million pairs of long johns each year. The products are shipped nationwide and even exported to countries like Russia.

The industry has evolved significantly since the 1980s. From scattered family workshops, the village has developed a complete industrial value chain — spinning, dyeing, cutting, sewing, and sales — fostering collaboration and enriching product varieties. Villager Liu Ling, who inherited the business from her father, now focuses on using better materials and trendy designs to attract younger customers.

The village not only boosts the local economy but also provides employment for over 1,600 people from surrounding areas, offering flexible jobs, especially for those caring for families at home.

Some, like Jin Hongyue, are shifting to high-end custom production. It was challenging, but we believe quality will secure our future," Jin said. The recent inaugural long john culture festival in the nearby village also helped boost sales and visibility through cultural tourism.

To further grow, the village is now planning an industrial park, aiming to unify brands, upgrade quality, and achieve high-quality development.

The story of Yaojiapo village mirrors the broader development of Tai'an's textile and apparel industry. In 2022, Tai'an established a dedicated textile and garment industrial value chain. The city is now home to over 2,000 enterprises in this sector, including 145 designated as large-scale industries. These key enterprises have demonstrated steady growth, achieving revenues of approximately 11.53 billion yuan ($1.62 billion), 11.89 billion yuan, and 13.11 billion yuan over the past three years, respectively.