Wenli

Wenli

Wenli is a product protected under geographical indication.

　　Wenli

　　Wenli (also known as Wenyu, a type of grass carp) is a premium locally produced export specialty from Dinghu District. It originates from Wenlang in Shipu Town, Dinghu District, Zhaoqing City. Unlike common carp, its most distinctive features are: at first glance, it has a round head and plump body; upon closer inspection, it has a tucked-in head, hunched shoulders, a small mouth with an upward curve, a chubby and rounded body, and three golden lines extending from the gills all the way to the tail. Wenli has small internal organs, high fat content, and tender, rich-tasting meat, making it especially suitable for steaming—rarely prepared by other cooking methods. When steaming, it is important not to add ginger or scallions, nor oil; simply include a little cooked salt and shredded dried tangerine peel. Steamed this way, the Wenli offers a dining experience where the bones are crisp and fragrant, the scales soft, and the flesh yields a luxurious sensation of tenderness, sweetness, freshness, and smoothness. During the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, a royal inspector visited Zhaoqing and, after tasting Wenli, exclaimed that it was a “rare and exquisite delicacy.” He immediately had it rushed back to the capital to be presented to Empress Dowager Cixi. After tasting it, the Empress Dowager was highly pleased and bestowed upon Wenlang the plaque “King of Wenli, First Pond of Lingnan.” Wenli production is extremely limited, and it is currently mainly exported to Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asian countries. The main characteristics of Wenli are its peculiar shape paired with tender and rich meat—it appears somewhat like a “small person” with a slender head, hunched shoulders, a sunken nose, a curled mouth, and a slightly hunched back along the spine; yet, it uniquely sports three golden lines on each side of its body and a well-developed belly. When swimming, it shimmers with golden light and moves with graceful poise, exuding an air of “gentlemanly charm.” Its traits include minimal internal organs, soft bones, smooth and tender meat, rich sweetness, thin and crispy scales, leaving a lingering fragrance in the mouth, and earning high praise from diners.

　　The production area of Wenli is located in Diansanwen, Shipu Town, covering an area of over 500 acres, where its breeding has always maintained a unique and favorable ecological environment. In recent years, to enhance the quality of Wenli and strengthen its brand, Dinghu District has carried out technical research on its cultivation, inviting experts such as those from the Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute to serve as technical advisors. This includes selective breeding and reproduction efforts, unified technical measures, and scaled-up farming. Additionally, aquatic plants such as water chestnut seedlings and wild arrowhead have been introduced artificially to ensure the unique ecological environment required for Wenli’s growth. Currently, the annual available supply reaches 250 tons, with exports mainly to Hong Kong, Macau, and the Pearl River Delta region.

　　Wenli

　　 The current administrative region of Shipu Town, Dinghu District, Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province

　　 Request from the People’s Government of Dinghu District, Zhaoqing City, “Regarding the Proposal to Define the Origin Area of Wenli and Wenyu,” Zhao Ding Fu Bao [2013] No. 6

　　 Guangdong Provincial Local Standard: “Wenli” (Draft)