Qingxu Baoyuan Traditional Vinegar Workshop

Qingxu Baoyuan Traditional Vinegar Workshop

Qingxu Baoyuan Traditional Vinegar Workshop is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Located in Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, Qingxu Baoyuan Traditional Vinegar Workshop is a "Taiyuan Youth Heritage Education Base." It has been named one of "Taiyuan’s First Batch of Industrial Tourism Demonstration Sites" by the Taiyuan Tourism Bureau, awarded the title of "Shanxi Qingxu Mature Vinegar Brewing Techniques Museum" by the Shanxi Provincial Department of Culture, and recognized as a "National AAAA-level Tourist Attraction" by the National Tourism Administration.

"Since ancient times, vinegar brewing is best in Shanxi, and among Shanxi, Qingxu leads the way." As the birthplace of Shanxi mature vinegar, Qingxu has made tremendous contributions to China’s vinegar industry over its 4,000-year history of vinegar production, earning it the title "China’s Vinegar Capital."

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the development of Shanxi mature vinegar reached its peak. A large number of vinegar workshops emerged in Qingxu, including "Baoyuan Workshop," "Shuntai Brand," "Tongtaiqing," and "Meiheju." Alongside the travels of Shanxi merchants across the country, Shanxi mature vinegar spread far and wide, becoming a beloved condiment and earning the reputation of "the finest vinegar under heaven."

"Baoyuan Workshop" was first built in the third year of the Xuande era of the Ming Dynasty, in 1428—over 500 years ago. Baoyuan mature vinegar was once served as a tribute to the imperial courts of both the Ming and Qing dynasties, writing a glorious chapter in the history of Shanxi’s vinegar industry. However, with the passage of time, by the Republican era, due to consecutive years of famine and warfare in central Shanxi, Baoyuan Vinegar Workshop ceased operations.

To explore the deep historical and cultural significance of mature vinegar, promote Shanxi’s vinegar culture, and allow people to understand the historical roots and traditional production process of mature vinegar, the original site of Baoyuan Workshop was restored to its full Ming and Qing dynasty appearance.

The reconstructed Baoyuan Traditional Vinegar Workshop adopts the architectural style of the Ming and Qing periods, featuring blue bricks, gray tiles, and antique wood carvings. It fully replicates the traditional mature vinegar production techniques of that era, including the utensils, tools, and attire used in vinegar-making, and step-by-step recreates the ancient vinegar production scene from raw materials to finished product.

The production area of Qingxu mature vinegar is located in Qingxu County. It uses high-quality red sorghum grown in Qingxu and central Shanxi as the main ingredient, supplemented by barley, peas, and various bran types, with red-heart koji as the fermentation agent. Through careful ingredient selection, steaming, anaerobic alcohol fermentation, solid-state acetic acid fermentation, followed by high-temperature smoking, filtering through high and low vats, and high-standard aging, Qingxu mature vinegar boasts a bright color and sticks to the bowl when poured. It combines the aromas of brewing, ingredients, richness, and esters, earning the folk nickname "aroma that penetrates the bottle."

As a representative of this craft, the Shanxi Shuita Mature Vinegar brewing technique was listed in the first batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2006 to ensure the inheritance and promotion of Qingxu mature vinegar brewing skills.

Shanxi Shuita Mature Vinegar Co., Ltd. is one of the first national key leading enterprises in agricultural industrialization designated by eight state ministries. It is also currently one of the largest production bases of Shanxi mature vinegar in China.

By the end of 2008, Shuita Company had signed contracts with over 25,000 farming households, established a 30,000-mu (approximately 4,942 acres) high-quality red sorghum planting base, employed more than 1,200 surplus rural laborers, and provided jobs for over 200 college graduates and laid-off workers, making outstanding contributions to the local economic and social development.

Tourist Routes

1. Take bus 905 from Taiyuan to Yingxian Coking Group Station, then take a taxi to the scenic area.

2. Alternatively, join a local short-term tour group, which typically includes stops at Baoyuan Traditional Vinegar Workshop, Pingyao Ancient City, and Qiao Family Compound.

3. The vinegar workshop is just a 20-minute drive from Qiao Family Compound—you can go directly by taxi from there.

Address: Yangfang North Road, Qingxu County, Taiyuan City

Type: Factory Tour / Craft Workshop

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 hours

Phone: 0351-5922838

Official Website: http://www.laocufang.com.cn/

Opening Hours:

8:00-18:00

Source: Official Website of Baoyuan Traditional Vinegar Workshop