Yangshan Dongguan Pear

Yangshan Dongguan Pear

　　 The Dongguan Pear is a rare and precious fruit unique to Yangshan, a renowned high-quality fruit variety in Guangdong that was historically offered as a tribute. It is large in size—about half a jin per pear—with a sweet taste, thin skin, small core, and high water content.

　　The Dongguan Pear is a type of sandy pear that grows in mountainous areas with significant day-night temperature differences. It has fine, juicy flesh, a refreshing sweetness, and no grittiness. As an ancient tribute fruit, it is also known as the “Tribute Pear.” It is a rare and precious fruit of Yangshan County, characterized by: first, its large fruit size—individual pears generally weigh between 0.75–1.5 kilograms, with heavier ones reaching 2.5–3 kilograms; the fruit diameter is 10–16 centimeters, and the height is 10–12 centimeters; second, its thin, smooth skin, tender and juicy flesh, sweet honey-like flavor, and enticing aroma; third, its fine core, snow-white flesh, and ability to remain unchanged in color even after being cut and left for several days. According to the “Yangshan County Annals”: “The Tongguan Pear is several times larger than ordinary pears and is one of the finest fruits in the region.” In 1986, the Tongguan Pear was recognized as a high-quality fruit variety in Guangdong Province.

　　The Tongguan Pear is rare and precious, and has been a celebrated tribute fruit throughout history. During the Han Dynasty, Zhao Tuo once presented this pear to General Fan Kuai, hence it is also called the “General’s Pear.” Later, General Fan Kuai offered the Tongguan Pear to the emperor. During the Qing Dynasty, the iron-brush censor Zheng Shichao also purchased Tongguan Pears every year to present as tribute to the emperor, earning it the name “Emperor’s Pear.” In the late Qing Dynasty, the renowned scholar Jian Chaoliang, after tasting it, was inspired to write a poem titled “Tongguan Pear”: “When Han Yu visited here, though his poems were many, there must have been pear trees from which he sat, listening to spring birds. Today we find their legacy fruit—its meaning can be imagined. Weighing over seven hundred zhu, its size is truly remarkable. Fortunate to be given to a noble person, it adds a refreshing presence to the seat. But for those consumed by worldly ambition, how could it relieve the times?”