Wulian Cherries

Wulian Cherries

Wulian Cherries are a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　The cherries from Songbai Township in Wulian County ripen as early as March, when peach and plum blossoms have yet to bloom, earning them the titles “The First Spring Fruit of Northern China” and “The Delicacy of the Human World.” Cherries also have excellent medicinal properties. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that cherries are sweet and warm in nature, affecting the spleen and liver meridians, and are effective in inducing perspiration to release rashes, dispelling wind-dampness, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. The *Supplementary Records of Famous Physicians* states that they “regulate the middle energizer and benefit the spleen.” The *Medicinal Materials of Southern Yunnan* claims that “when soaked in wine and consumed, they treat paralysis, numbness in the limbs, and rheumatic pain in the waist and legs.” The *Compendium of Materia Medica* says they “regulate the middle energizer, benefit the spleen, improve complexion, and stop seminal emission.” For these reasons, cherries are used medicinally to prevent and treat conditions such as early-stage measles with poor rash eruption, rheumatic pain in the waist and legs, numbness in the limbs, restricted joint movement, limb paralysis, as well as scalds and insect or snake bites.

　　Wulian County has a long history of cherry cultivation. As of 2008, the cherry orchard area covered approximately 2,300 hectares, making it one of the main cherry-producing regions in Shandong Province. Leveraging its resource advantages, Songbai Township has vigorously developed the cherry specialty industry, introducing new large cherry varieties such as Ukraine, Hongdeng (Red Lantern), and Meizao, optimizing the varietal structure, and extending the cherry harvest season. The cherries from Songbai Township in Wulian County ripen as early as March, when peach and plum blossoms have yet to bloom, earning them the titles “The First Spring Fruit of Northern China” and “The Delicacy of the Human World.”

　　Amidst a sea of green, the bright red of delicate cherries shines through. To allow visitors to enjoy the beautiful rural scenery of Wulian and savor the deliciousness of cherries, the Cherry Picking Festival is held every May in Songbai Town. In the season when rain-kissed cherries blush red on the trees and the fragrance of locust flowers drifts through valleys, visitors can experience the joy of cherry picking and taste the sweet flavor of the fruit. Wulian cherries are juicy, brightly colored, sweet, and highly nutritious, offering significant medical and health benefits—they are a pure, natural green food. The cherry varieties grown in Wulian County include Ukraine, Hongdeng, and Meizao, covering a total planting area of 11,500 mu. With its mountainous areas boasting a good ecological environment and mild climate, the region produces large cherries that are juicy, high in sugar content.

　　Wulian Cherries are a geographical indication certification trademark.