Basic Introduction to Tan Village LoquatTan Village Loquat is mainly produced in three natural villages—Zhangtan, Miantan, and Yuutan—along the Xin'an River within the jurisdiction of She County. It is named after these three villages. The name "Three Tans" comes from the fact that these three villages are surrounded by mountains enclosing three large, deep water pools, which remain warm in winter and cool in summer, nestled among hills. As a result, "Tan Village Loquat" has been renowned both at home and abroad since ancient times. Nutritional ValueLoquat is a beneficial fruit suitable for people of all ages. There is a saying in folk circles: "Peaches from the Heavenly Queen Mother, loquats from the Three Tans on earth." Eating fresh loquat helps to quench thirst and stimulate saliva production, benefiting lungs and stomach health. Besides containing a high amount of fructose, it is also rich in vitamin B17, a nutrient known for its cancer-preventative properties. Before the invention of glucose injections, traditional Chinese medicine often used loquat juice to sustain the lives of those unable to eat, demonstrating the very high nutritional value of loquat. Product CharacteristicsThe characteristics of "Tan Village Loquat" include thin skin, thick flesh, sweet juice, abundant water…

Basic Introduction to Qishet TeaThe cultivation of QiShe tea has a long history and it has been highly regarded throughout history, with mentions in books such as "Xingyi Fu Zhi" and "Travels in Yunnan and Guizhou" (written by Chen Ding during the Qing Dynasty). Over time, QiShe tea has been favored for its unique flavor and exceptional durability when brewed. In recent years, the Xingyi Municipal Party Committee and Government have placed great importance on the development of the tea industry, treating it as an agricultural pillar industry and a project to enrich the people. A series of supportive policies and measures have been introduced, boosting the enthusiasm of tea farmers, leading to a total tea garden area of 79,000 mu. In Qishetown alone, the tea garden covers 24,500 mu. There are two provincial-level leading model enterprises, two model cooperatives, over 30 processing workshops, 13 established farmer professional cooperatives, one town-level association, one special industry joint branch, six newly constructed high-quality tea garden demonstration bases, and two clean tea factories with an annual production capacity of 200 tons. Three enterprises have obtained QS certification.After Xingyi City's QiShe tea and Qinglong County's Qinglong green tea received geographical indication protection as specialty…

Basic Introduction to Hongyan GrapesThe cultivation and development of Hongyan grapes started in the 1970s. Due to the unique soil and climatic conditions in Hongyan, the grapes produced are sweet and delicious, with thick flesh and thin skin, having a distinctive honey aroma. They have high commercial value and good economic returns, leading to an increase in the number of farmers cultivating them over the years, gradually forming a scale that attracted significant attention from local authorities. Starting from 2000, large amounts of funding were invested to support the Hongyan grape industry, causing it to develop rapidly. Now, the planting area has reached more than 3,000 mu (approx. 200 hectares), involving 12 village groups across four villages: Hongyan, Dazhai, Guanling, and Wangjiaping. Nutritional ValueGrapes are pleasantly sweet and sour, with plenty of moisture and rich nutrition. Most of the sugars contained in grapes are glucose, which can be directly absorbed by the human body, making grapes an ideal fruit for those with weak digestive systems. Grapes contain large amounts of tartaric acid, which helps digestion. Eating an appropriate amount of grapes can strengthen the spleen and stomach, providing great benefits to the human body. Historical and FolkloreAs per "The Supplement…

The Lingdingyang Bridge and the western artificial island of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link complex in Guangdong province. CHEN JIMIN/CHINA NEWS SERVICE The main line of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, a mega cross-sea passage in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, has been fully connected after completion of the last part of the caisson concrete pouring on Tuesday morning. The project, which integrates a bridge, island, tunnel and underwater interchange, starts from the Shenzhen airport interchange, crossing the Pearl River estuary to connect with Ma'anshan Island in Zhongshan. It is the world's most comprehensive and difficult cross-sea cluster project, consisting of 24 kilometers of an eight-lane expressway with a traffic speed of 100 km per hour. With completion of the link, the comprehensive transportation convenience of the GBA and the traffic capacity of the river crossing channel will be greatly improved, according to Deng Xiaohua, Party chief of Guangdong Transportation Group. "After its opening to traffic next year, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link will help build a balanced and coordinated high-speed transportation network in the Pearl River estuary, along with other cross-sea and cross-river channels," said Deng. A worker introduces the inner structure of the undersea tunnel section of the complex on Tuesday. CHEN JIMIN/CHINA…

(Video edited by Zhong Wenxing) Renowned for offering a kaleidoscope of winter travel activities and the particular hospitality of the locals, northeast China has become a travel hub in winter. In addition, Harbin, the snowy capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, will host the 9th Asian Winter Games in 2025. In this article, Taste all China will present some entertaining winter sports or activities offered in northeast China. Pouring water into ice A visitor plays a game with water spray in Beiji Village, Mohe City of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 24, 2019. With the lowest temperature approaching minus 30 degrees celsius, visitors in Mohe Village tried their hand at the game of "pouring water into ice" here. ( tasteallchina /Cai Yang) With temperatures in Mohe city, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, plummeting to below minus 40 degrees Celsius in recent days, the city has become a magnet for snow lovers eager to experience the charm of ice and snow. Tourists are flocking to Beiji village, also known as Arctic village, to take part in the unique phenomenon known as "splashing water into ice." A spellbinding sight is created as pots of boiling water are splashed into the frigid air in…

Zongzi is a signature food of the Dragon Boat Festival and is much loved by people. Xu Shen's Sayings on the Interpretation of Chinese Characters from the Han Dynasty states: “Zong (zongzi) is glutinous rice wrapped in reed leaves.” This indicates that at the time, reed leaves were primarily used for wrapping zongzi. In fact, with different customs and local products across regions, different leaves may have been used to wrap zongzi in various places south and north of the Yangtze River, such as the leaves of the Nandina, banana, lou, and lotus plants, which can be aptly described as “sticky rice remains, while the zongye varies.” What many do not know is that the zongye discarded after eating zongzi also has medicinal and health benefits. Reed Leaves Reed leaves are one of the oldest types of zongye, mainly distributed in areas such as North China, Northeast China, and the Two Lakes Region. Reed leaves are commonly used to wrap zongzi in northern regions and along the Yangtze River. After being boiled in water, reed-leaf-wrapped zongzi emit a unique fragrance, which can refresh one’s mood during the sultry weather of the Dragon Boat Festival. The "reed" mentioned in "The reeds…

Jilin Province in northeast China, a region known for its abundant ice-and-snow resources, has opened up new opportunities for young entrepreneurs. Recently, many tourists from southern China visited Naitoushan, a village of China's Korean ethnic group near the Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve, to experience the local lifestyle such as dressing up in traditional Korean costumes, taking photos with reindeer, trying winter hunting and ice fishing, and enjoying outdoor hot pot in the cold weather. Yang Lina, who operates a homestay hotel, upgraded her hotel’s courtyard and added various snow sculptures and snow houses for visitors to take photos during this snow season. Guests can also enjoy local meals while sitting on kangs, or heatable beds, which are common in northern China. Tourists enjoy snow tubing at a ski resort in Jilin city, northeast China's Jilin Province. ( tasteallchina /Yan Linyun) Since Yang returned to her village to start a business 12 years ago, she has continuously expanded her collaboration with travel agencies in southern China to promote winter tourism in her village. During the three-day 2024 New Year holiday, the village received tourists from Zhejiang Province in east China and Guangdong Province in south China, as well as visitors from…

In recent years, aged tea has gradually gained popularity, with more and more people starting to enjoy drinking it. So, which aged teas are good? What makes them so good? Let’s find the answers together! Aged White Tea — Effective for Reducing Fire and Inflammation As the saying goes, “one year as tea, three years as medicine, seven years as a treasure,” the unique smooth taste of aged white tea is unforgettable upon the first sip. Apart from its great taste, aged white tea also offers excellent health benefits. It is particularly effective in reducing fire and inflammation due to its ability to regulate cellular immune function, lower inflammatory factors, and enhance the body’s capacity to eliminate damaged factors. Experts conducted research on both new and aged white teas and found that the older the white tea, the better its anti-inflammatory effects. Aged Tieguanyin — Rich, Smooth, Clear, and Refreshing Aged Tieguanyin is a high-grade type of Tieguanyin tea. After being baked and cooled, it is sealed and stored in a stone-wood structured warehouse where it remains unaffected by extreme heat or cold. Through a series of chemical changes over time, aged Tieguanyin accumulates rich essences, resulting in an especially…

Have you ever pictured yourself standing in an open wetland where groups of birds are flying and spinning in the sky freely and elks are running and jumping through the water merrily? Everything seems dreamy, romantic and peaceful in this imagination. Well, if you come to Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase I), you will know that such beautiful scenes exist in real life.  On July 5, 2019, the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf (Phase I) was inscribed on the World Heritage List as a natural site. Located in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, the site covers an area of 4553 square kilometers. It consists of two parts—the Migratory Bird Habitats in the north and south respectively of Yancheng. Being the central node of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, the intertidal areas of the Yellow Sea/Bohai Gulf are of global importance for the gathering of many migratory bird species that use this flyway. As the site has rich biodiversity, it provides millions of migratory birds with a variety of food resources. Come and feel the beauty of nature and life!

Basic Introduction to Guzhang Maojian Guzhang Maojian, a type of green tea and a renowned tea from ancient times, is named after its place of origin, Guzhang County in the Wuling Mountains of Hunan Province. The county features towering mountains, deep valleys, dense forests, a network of streams, and beautiful landscapes. Among the lush mountains, besides vast cedar forests, there are also the evergreen trees like Dianxia and Red Torreya, ornamental trees like Bailing and Davidia, as well as economic forests like oil trees, tea plants, and nutmeg, which add charm and scenery to this forested region. Nutritional Value Enhancing Health Guzhang Maojian contains rich proteins, amino acids, alkaloids, tea polyphenols, sugars, organic acids, and water-soluble minerals. It has functions such as quenching thirst, clearing the mind and brightening the eyes, refreshing the spirit, removing greasy food, inhibiting arteriosclerosis, preventing cancer, treating scurvy, and protecting against radiation. Drinking Guzhang Maojian regularly can lower blood pressure. The caffeine and catechins in tea can relax the walls of blood vessels and increase their effective diameter, maintaining certain elasticity in the vessel walls and eliminating spasms in the arteries. The amino acid GABA in Guzhang tea has a more significant effect on relaxing…

The most common way to enjoy chestnuts is probably through stir-fried chestnuts, which can often be found in the streets and alleys of many places. Chestnuts can also be used in traditional Chinese medicine and, after cooking, can be made into medicinal dishes. Here, we introduce a dish that can replenish vital energy, nourish the skin, and improve complexion: Chestnut Braised Pork.Method 1 for Chestnut Braised PorkIngredients Preparation500 grams of pork belly, around 10 chestnuts, scallions, ginger, Sichuan pepper, star anise, salt, rock sugar, cooking wine, and dark soy sauce.Steps1. Wash the pork belly and blanch it; set aside.2. Pour enough hot water over the pork belly to cover it completely. Bring the water to a boil, then simmer.3. Make a cut on each chestnut, then place them in boiling water and cook for two to three minutes. Quickly transfer them to cold water and peel off both the outer shell and inner skin along the cut.4. After the pork has been simmering for half an hour, add the peeled chestnuts and continue to simmer for another fifteen to twenty minutes. Add an appropriate amount of rock sugar and stir evenly. Season with a little salt and you're done.TipsDo not…

Ruan Yangyang (center), a pianist from Nanjing county in Fujian province, performs with other young musicians, including students from the United States, at a concert in Zhangzhou on Tuesday. A group of 110 students from the US are on a visit to Fujian and will cover Xiamen, Quanzhou and Zhangzhou over 10 days as part of an exchange program. (ZHANG JINCHUAN/CHINA NEWS SERVICE) US college students are experiencing China firsthand through a cultural exchange program that aims to dispel stereotypes and foster environmental awareness. The China-US Youth Exchange Camp, which began on Monday at the Xiamen campus of Huaqiao University, is jointly organized by the Fujian Provincial Department of Education and Huaqiao University. About 110 students from the United States will visit cities including Xiamen, Quanzhou and Zhangzhou during the 10-day exchange program, which is focused on music, the environment and culture. Han Mei, director of the Chinese Music and Culture Center at Tennessee State University, said the US students had been diligently preparing for months, studying and practicing Chinese musical instruments. Han and two other teachers are leading a group of 16 TSU students at the camp. The camp aims to promote educational exchanges and cooperation between Fujian province…

Since the beginning of this year, "neo-Chinese style tourism," characterized by new cultural travel experiences such as museum trips, ancient city and town tours, intangible cultural heritage exploration, and activities involving traditional Chinese Hanfu clothing experiences, has become increasingly popular among Chinese people. "Neo-Chinese style tourism" integrates traditional Chinese elements with new fashions, enabling tourists to enjoy immersive experiences of cultural and tourism activities and appreciate the charm of fine traditional Chinese culture. Tourists dressed in traditional Chinese costumes pose for group photos at the Datang Everbright City, a tourist landmark featuring a grand street with characteristics of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Photo/Weng Qiyu) This year, "neo-Chinese style tourism" ushered in a boom in traditional festivals including the Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, and Duanwu Festival, becoming a new highlight in the tourism market. On China's online travel agency Ctrip, over 100 scenic spots offered tourists opportunities to experience traditional folk customs related to the Duanwu Festival, including picking mugwort, making sachets, watching intangible cultural heritage performances, and Hanfu photography. Many scenic areas launched traditional culture experience activities such as dragon boat racing, making sachets, and making zongzi, which are glutinous rice dumplings…

Having practiced medicine and taught for over six decades, Dr. Wangdui, as a Tibetan doctor, diligently works in clinical settings for more than 10 hours daily. As an educator, he rises early and stays late, being involved in almost every aspect of his students' lives. As a researcher, he never lets go of a book, delving deeply into ancient Tibetan medical texts.In such a busy work environment, Wangdui, who holds three roles, still maintains high spirits. To him, when busyness becomes a habit, it turns into enjoyment. His dedication to researching Tibetan medicine supports his life dedicated to its preservation.Living Regularly and Immersed in WorkIn Wangdui's long career, "sitting still" is not the norm. Upon arriving at work, he always wishes to be involved in every step, often filling his schedule so tightly that he only sleeps for 3-4 hours a day. To most people, his daily routine of seeing patients, teaching, reading, and researching seems immense and fast-paced, but this does not leave Wangdui feeling drained; instead, his body has adapted to this constant state of busyness.The Huangdi Neijing states: "Ancient people who understood the Dao followed the principles of yin and yang, harmonized with the methods of health…

Basic Introduction to Suining Qingqianliu TeaSuining Qingqianliu Tea, a specialty of Suining County, Hunan Province, is a Chinese national geographical indication product. Qingqianliu is a tree species under national second-class protection and is one of the rare tree species that survived from the Quaternary glaciation, existing only in China. In Suining, Qingqianliu is commonly known as the “Money Tree,” growing in humid mountainous areas at elevations ranging from 500 to 2,500 meters. Suining’s Qingqianliu series of health teas, processed using unique techniques, have effects such as lowering “three highs” (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar) and are favored by consumers.Suining is located at the convergence of the Xuefeng Mountains and the Eighty-Li DaNanshan Mountains. Its climate is warm and humid with abundant rainfall and significant diurnal temperature differences, creating a superior natural environment for the production of Suining Qingqianliu Tea. During the spring tea production period, the area is often shrouded in mist, with over 100 days of fog annually. This unique climate satisfies the preference of Qingqianliu trees for diffused light and moisture. The fog reflects long-wave light from sunlight while allowing short-wave light to pass through, promoting the formation of amino acids and aromatic substances within…

Basic Introduction to Kaiyang Selenium-Rich Tea Kaiyang selenium-rich tea has a deep historical background. The South Tribute Tea of Kaiyang is produced in Nanlong Township, Kaiyang County. It was named as a royal tribute during the Qing Dynasty's Qianlong period and gained prominence during the Qianlong and Jiaqing periods, with a history spanning over 200 years. Nanlong Township is located in the southeastern part of Kaiyang County, 18.5 kilometers from the county center. The township covers an area of 125.24 square kilometers and comprises three administrative villages: Wengduo Village, Tankan Village, and Zhongqiao Village, with a total of 131 village groups. The total population is 18,889 people, of which 18,403 are agricultural residents, accounting for 97.4% of the total population. Multiple ethnic groups reside within the territory, including Han, Bouyei, Miao, and Shui. Nutritional Value 1. Selenium-rich tea helps reduce fat and prevent cardiovascular diseases. The relationship between tea drinking and weight loss is very close. As early as over two thousand years ago, the book "Shennong's Herbal Classic" mentioned the weight loss effect of tea: "Long-term consumption can calm the mind, invigorate qi... lighten the body and prevent aging." Modern scientific research and clinical trials have confirmed that drinking…

In the vast array of famous teas in China, Longjing tea stands out with its unique charm, captivating countless tea enthusiasts. Today, let's delve into the world of Longjing tea, exploring the millennia of history and cultural background behind it, experiencing the unique flavor of its origin and growing environment, appreciating the finesse and delicacy of its production techniques, and learning about tasting methods and skills. I. Longjing Tea: The Inheritance of a Thousand Years of History and Culture As a jewel among Chinese green teas, the history of Longjing tea can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. Through the development of subsequent dynasties such as the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing, Longjing tea gradually became a renowned tea both at home and abroad. It is not only a calling card for Hangzhou but also an important carrier of Chinese culture. The name Longjing tea originates from its birthplace, Longjing Village. Here, mountains and water intertwine, shrouded in mist, providing a unique environment ideal for tea growth. On this magical land, Longjing tea coexists with nature, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth. Throughout its long history, Longjing tea has not only nourished the bodies and minds of countless…

Basic Introduction to Lungchang Terracotta The Lungchang Terracotta factories are mainly distributed in the Shiyangqiao Town, with over a hundred of them. The unique natural eco-friendly terracotta clay in this area, combined with handcrafted and traditional methods, results in terracotta products that are acid and alkali-resistant, have good breathability, and do not leak. Terracotta products are widely used, including pickle jars, flower pots, water containers, wine jars and bottles, among others. Product Characteristics (1) Rustic elegance, fine terracotta texture, bluish color, rich hue, and glossy glaze. (2) A loud, crisp sound when struck, with a pleasant aftertone. (3) Good breathability without leakage over long-term use and excellent load-bearing capacity. Historical and Folk Customs The production of Lungchang Terracotta has a history of more than 600 years. Its production process includes making clay, forming, glazing, and firing. In the Shiyangqiao Town area of Sichuan’s Lungchang, a unique Han Chinese terracotta culture has formed, with almost every household using terracotta products for storing water, wine, pickles, and more. Many locals have been running this “iron rice bowl” business from generation to generation. Manufacturing Method From making kiln tables (used to hold the terracotta during firing), preparing clay, forming, glazing, to firing, it…

An owner of a malatang stall serves a customer on a snack street in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 19, 2024. At dawn, the bustling snack streets of Tianshui, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, were already teeming with activities, with visitors eager to taste the local specialty, malatang, literally meaning a numbingly spicy hotpot.( tasteallchina /Ma Xiping) LANZHOU, March 20 ( tasteallchina ) -- At dawn, the bustling snack streets of Tianshui, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, were already teeming with activity, with visitors eager to taste the local specialty, malatang, literally meaning a numbingly spicy hotpot. Dong Liangyan, 29, hailing from Daqing in the northernmost province of Heilongjiang, said she has come all the way traveling over 2,000 km just to savor this delicacy that has intrigued her for quite some time. "When I unlocked my phone, all I could see was promotional messages about Tianshui malatang spicy hotpot," she said, adding that the aromatic chili oil and the velvety texture of hand-pulled noodles made her culinary quest all the more rewarding. This simple spicy hotpot delicacy has recently thrust this quaint city into the online spotlight, enchanting tourists with…

Basic Introduction to Huangmei Chan TeaHuangmei Chan Tea is produced in the Purple Cloud Mountains, north of the Fourth Patriarch Temple and the Fifth Patriarch Temple, amidst fog and waterfalls. Huangmei has been a place of pilgrimage for Chinese and East Asian Buddhists since the early Tang Dynasty, as it is home to the Old Ancestor Temple built by the ancient Indian monk Baizhang. Surrounded by towering peaks, lush pines and bamboo, clear waters, and fresh air, all the tea gardens are located at an altitude of 800 to over 1,200 meters in the misty mountains, making them significant sources of tribute tea and Chan tea throughout history. In 747 AD, Lu Yu, the Sage of Tea during the mid-Tang Dynasty, visited the birthplace of Huangmei Chan Tea, examined local tea customs, and included his findings in his famous work, "The Classic of Tea: Chapter Eight - Origins," stating, "Tea from Huangmei grows in the mountain valleys of Qi Prefecture." The tea from Huangmei is of superior quality, with a rich and fragrant flavor, and has been a staple drink for Chan masters while meditating and entertaining guests. Therefore, it is named "Huangmei Chan Tea" as it originated from the…