Millennia-old Freshwater Pearls

Millennia-old Freshwater Pearls

　　When you visit Wannian County, you’ll be dazzled by large, high-quality freshwater pearls, exquisitely crafted pearl necklaces, lifelike animal-shaped ornaments, colorful shell-carving handicrafts, as well as a variety of pearl-processed foods, beverages, cosmetics, medicines, and health supplements—leaving you spoiled for choice, as if entering a mythical pearl wonderland.

Wannian is located on the shores of Poyang Lake, blessed with abundant water resources and vast freshwater aquaculture areas. The expansive, shimmering waters with moderate temperatures, nutrient-rich and oxygenated conditions provide an ideal habitat for freshwater mussels—the natural hosts of pearls. The region has a long tradition of pearl cultivation. In the mid-1980s, the Huyun Pond Aquaculture Farm pioneered an integrated “three-dimensional farming” model: “processing onshore, pig farming near the shore, duck farming on the water surface, pearl cultivation in the water, and fish farming at the bottom.” Within just over a decade, the farming area expanded continuously, yields increased, varieties diversified, and output value grew steadily. With the establishment of the Jiangxi Wannianchun Pearl Group, the peak farming area reached 24,000 mu, producing 50 tons of freshwater pearls annually, developing over 200 new pearl-based products. These products sell well both domestically and internationally, generating an annual total output value of 192 million yuan and profits exceeding 30 million yuan.

In recent years, Wannian has established pearl production standards, becoming the first in China to achieve standardized production, significantly improving pearl quality. Now, with the completion and operation of this major pearl market, advanced breeding and processing technologies have been leveraged. On the foundation of cultivating high-quality mussel sources, pearl cultivation, and achieving premium yields, numerous new products that appeal to both domestic and international markets have been developed.

Last year, 55 million yuan was successfully invested to build the Wannian Pearl & Tribute Rice City. This project is currently under implementation, positioning Wannian as a major domestic distribution hub for pearl-based products.