Chenghai District, in Shantou, south China's Guangdong province, is widely known as the "world's toy capital." Every year, this bustling industrial hub produces more than 10 billion building bricks, making it a cornerstone of the global building block industry.
At the heart of this output is Golds, the parent company of the building block brand Gobricks. Its headquarters in Chenghai covers 300,000 square meters and houses nearly 1,000 automated injection molding machines. Production is largely powered by around 400 robots and fleets of automated guided vehicles (AGVs), allowing the factory to operate with minimal human intervention, a setup often referred to as a "dark factory."
Precision is central to the building block industry. Each Gobrick is crafted with an accuracy of 0.02 millimeters, ensuring seamless fits. The company now offers more than 40,000 product types, from standard sets to highly specialized pieces. By combining high-quality materials with stable production processes, Golds can deliver premium bricks at a fraction of the cost of major international brands.
Chenghai is home to more than 50,000 toy-related companies, responsible for roughly 70% of the world's plastic toy production. The region benefits from a complete industrial ecosystem that encompasses design, mold manufacturing, production, packaging, logistics, and export. Analysts credit this robust supply chain, along with high levels of automation and a culture of innovation, for keeping Chenghai at the forefront of the global toy market. Additionally, Guangdong's provincial support, including policies to encourage research and development, brand building, and international market expansion, has helped local companies upgrade production lines, adopt smart manufacturing systems, and develop innovative products.
In recent years, many companies in Chenghai have embraced automation and digitalization, integrating intelligent warehousing and data-driven production processes. This shift has increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved product quality. At the same time, local enterprises continue to focus on meticulous craftsmanship and high-precision engineering, ensuring that even the smallest building block meets exacting standards.
As global demand for creative and educational toys continues to rise, Chenghai District and brands like Gobricks demonstrate how industrial scale, advanced technology, and skilled manufacturing shape the toys that children and adults interact with every day. With its complete supply chain, innovative culture, and strategic provincial support, Chenghai's toy industry is poised to remain a key force in the global market for years to come.
Reporter | Li Muzi
Videographer | Guo Hongda
Video Editor | Guo Hongda
Poster | Lai Meiya
Editor | Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
