Sweet rice wine, also known as sweet brew or sweet liquor. The ancients called it "lǐ" (醴). First, rinse the glutinous rice clean and soak it in cold water for 4–5 hours. Place a clean steaming cloth on the steamer tray, then spread the rice directly on the cloth to steam. Since the rice has been soaked and expanded, there's no need to add water to the bowl as you would when steaming regular rice. After steaming, place the cooked rice in a clean bowl...
"Plum blossoms in spring, pear blossoms on crabapple trees, and in summer and autumn, rice-field fish." Whenever late summer and autumn arrive in the four plains of Xiangyun County—Chengchuan, Yunnanyi, HeDian, and MiDian—you can once again delight in savoring the uniquely flavorful fish boiled in acidic broth. "Rice-field fish" doesn’t refer to any one specific type of fish, but is a general term for the fish that grow in the rice paddies during summer and autumn. The rice flowers waft their delicate fragrance...
The “Seven Spices” refer to scorched chili, oil chili, spicy fermented black beans, spicy bean paste, broad bean paste, spicy preserved tofu, and spicy meat. “Seven sisters, seven blossoms, blooming on Xiangyun Mountain and the plains, each flower a different hue brightening every home.” This describes the “Seven Sisters of Spice.” Scorched chili emphasizes the charring—dried chilies are slow-roasted over a low flame until thoroughly charred inside, then crushed and mixed with warm water, salt…
Xiangyun Tianma Tofu is a local delicacy from Xiangyun in Dali. Legend has it that tofu was first created during the Han Dynasty by Liu An, the King of Huainan, before later spreading to the general public. Tofu has become a dish that can grace both imperial banquets and the tables of ordinary families—it is one of the most widely enjoyed and influential foods in Chinese cuisine, celebrated for thousands of years. But what makes Tianma tofu somewhat famous...
Xiacun Township in the western part of Cangshan is renowned for its abundant production of honeysuckle. Also known as Lonicera, silver flower, or double flower, honeysuckle has long been esteemed as an excellent medicinal herb for clearing heat and detoxifying the body. With its naturally sweet, cool nature and fragrant aroma, it clears heat without harming the stomach and penetrates deeply to dispel pathogens. Honeysuckle not only helps relieve wind-heat but is also highly effective in clearing blood toxins. It is used to treat various heat-related illnesses, such as...
The method for stir-fried Er strip is somewhat similar to the commonly seen stir-fried rice noodles, but it's very popular in Yunnan to stir-fry it at high heat. That means heating the oil to the maximum, then adding the Er strips to the wok and continuously stirring over high flame. It only takes thirty seconds before they're ready to be served. This way, the Er strips won't get mushy, and they’ll have a nice, crisp bite. …
Braised pork rice noodles are a unique snack from Xiangyun County. Legend has it that Piluoge once served them to envoys from the Tang Dynasty, and ever since, they have gained great fame. They are hailed as a signature dish of the cuisine culture in the ancient Dali Kingdom region and remain one of the most distinctive snacks on the Ancient Nanzhao Street. The reason why braised pork rice noodles never get tiresome to eat lies in their delicate preparation...
Rice wine, also known as sweet ferment rice or sweet wine. The ancients called it “Li.” Wash the glutinous rice thoroughly and soak it in cold water for 4–5 hours. Place a clean cloth on the steamer tray, then put the rice directly on the cloth and steam until cooked. Since the rice has been soaked and expanded, there’s no need to add water in the steaming bowl as you would when cooking regular rice. Once steamed, place the rice in a clean basin. …
Xiangyun straw hats are both fashionable and elegant, conveying the unique personality of the wearer, and are widely renowned. Especially in recent years, as the market has expanded, these hats—crafted by hand from imported pure wood pulp and various eco-friendly natural materials—have entered homes and gained significantly in value, winning widespread affection. Xiangyun…
The Daying earthenware from Heidian Town in Xiangyun is well-known in the region and surrounding areas, and has also contributed to the local economic development. According to surveys, within an area of about 1.5 square kilometers centered around Daying Village, there are more than 20 ancient sites of varying sizes, all of which are "dragon kilns." Most of these have been abandoned, but there are still…
Xiangyun Pao Walnut -- In 2015, it was recognized as a nationally renowned, special, and high-quality new agricultural product. The Pao walnut is an important economic tree species suitable for cultivation in the southwestern region. In this area, no other economic forest species has a cultivation history as long, a distribution as widespread, yields as high, or economic benefits as stable as the Pao walnut. The ancients called the Pao walnut the "fruit of the gods,"…
Xiangyun Winter Peaches—In 2015, winter peaches were recognized as one of China’s nationally renowned, special, and high-quality new agricultural products. The winter peach industry has been thriving in Xiangyun, rapidly expanding to over 8,000 acres and becoming a unique highlight in the plateau agriculture of Xiangyun. As some of the winter peaches begin to bear fruit, they not only enrich consumer food options but also boost the income of fruit farmers, emerging as another advantageous industry for poverty alleviation among local farmers.
Xiangyun Red Pear -- In 2015, it was recognized as a nationally renowned, specialty, and high-quality new agricultural product. The Yunnan red pear industry in Xiangyun County has continued to develop rapidly, with fresh fruit products gaining strong market demand, showing steady growth in volume, price, and quality. The industry has achieved vigorous production and sales, exerting a significant positive impact on the development of Xiangyun's Yunnan red pear industry. …
The American pecan from Luming Township is a specialty of Luming Township, Xiangyun County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The pecans from Luming have thin, easy-to-peel shells, large and plump kernels, and a sweet and fragrant taste. The kernels are rich in protein, amino acids, and vitamins, offering high nutritional value. They are known to nourish the brain, strengthen the body, and help lower blood lipids. American thin-shelled pecans, also...
Preserved Tofu Wrapped in Banana Leaves from Xiangyun is a specialty dish from Xiangyun County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Known as one of the impressions of Xiangyun, this preserved tofu originates from the long-standing traditional delicacy of ancient Yunnan City. With its excellent flavor and quality, it was once a favored treat for hosting guests and giving as gifts to relatives and friends along the “Tea Horse Road” at Yunnan Yi. The production process of Xiangyun’s banana leaf-wrapped preserved tofu is rustic and delicate, and it melts in the mouth with a soft...
Midian walnuts are a specialty of Midian Town, Xiangyun County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Grown abundantly in the Jinsha River basin, they are renowned for their large size, thin shells, white kernels, pollution-free quality, and superior taste, making them a natural delicacy. "Midian Walnuts" are certified green food products and are exported to Japan, South Korea, and countries in Europe and America. Midian Town is a predominantly Bai ethnic township in Xiangyun County...
The Bai people value "freshness" in fish. The renowned "Clay Pot Fish from Xiaguan," famous throughout the province, is a signature Bai dish made primarily with archerfish or carp caught in Erhai Lake, along with dozens of other ingredients, and cooked in a clay pot that is a specialty of Xiangyun County. Cooking the clay pot fish emphasizes freshness. Restaurants in Xiaguan that serve this dish all display a stone water tank in their dining area...
Cured goose is a traditional and renowned specialty of Yongping County, mainly produced in the Hui ethnic villages of Qudong Town. It is celebrated for its delicious taste, fragrant aroma, and rich flavor. This distinctive local ethnic delicacy was created by the Hui community in Yongping through years of accumulated experience. It is also the preferred dish when local Hui people entertain relatives, friends, and distinguished guests...
Yongping boasts vast mountainous terrain and a uniquely favorable natural environment and climate for walnut cultivation. All 73 of its village committees (communities) have walnut trees, with 56 villages particularly suitable for planting Qing walnuts. The walnuts produced in Yongping are known for their large size, thin shells, white kernels, fragrant taste, high oil yield, and rich nutrition...
Yongping Buddha’s Hand Citron, also known as “Nine-Clawed Wood” or “Buddha’s Hand Citron,” is a variety of the citron. According to Li Shizhen’s *Compendium of Materia Medica*, “Citrons are produced in the regions of Fujian and Guangdong... Their fruits resemble human hands with fingers, hence commonly called Buddha’s Hand Citron.” The Buddha’s Hand remains evergreen throughout the seasons, with deep green leaves. Its flowers can be used to make tea, tasting similar to jasmine. The fruit has a uniquely whimsical shape resembling a fist or fingers, full of charm...