Wuzhou Guilinggao

Wuzhou Guilinggao

Wuzhou Guilinggao is a protected geographical indication product.

　　     Guilinggao is a traditional medicinal dessert with a long history in Wuzhou. Legend has it that it was originally a precious medicine exclusively served to emperors in the Qing imperial court. It is primarily made from the valuable Chinese soft-shelled turtle and Smilax glabra, along with other herbs such as Rehmannia glutinosa, refined through a special process. With a mild nature—neither too cooling nor drying—it is suitable for all ages and offers benefits such as clearing heat and dampness, promoting blood circulation and skin regeneration, relieving itching, clearing acne, improving bowel movements, nourishing yin and kidney, and beautifying and refreshing the body. As a result, it is highly favored and sells well both domestically and internationally.

　　    Guilinggao is black with slight transparency. It is mainly made from Chinese soft-shelled turtles and Smilax glabra. The Chinese soft-shelled turtle is a valuable traditional Chinese medicine known for clearing heat and detoxifying, while Smilax glabra helps eliminate dampness. In addition to these two key ingredients, other traditional Chinese medicinal materials such as Rehmannia glutinosa, dandelion, and honeysuckle are added to enhance the efficacy. The resulting guilinggao has effects such as clearing heat and detoxifying, drawing out toxins to regenerate tissue, nourishing yin and kidney, and promoting health and beauty. It can also help improve conditions such as sore throat, hemorrhoids, prickly heat, and constipation. Nutritional studies have found that guilinggao contains various active polysaccharides and amino acids, and features low calories, low fat, and low cholesterol, helping to regulate blood lipids and blood sugar. There are over 10 flavors of guilinggao, with the most popular being the original and milk tea flavors. The original flavor is slightly bitter, but it tastes much better when paired with honey syrup, coconut juice, condensed milk, or some fruit. Guiling powder is prepared by mixing it with warm water to form a paste, then pouring boiling water over it. After cooling, add honey, sugar, or condensed milk before eating. During hot weather, you can make more and refrigerate it—it tastes even better—but pregnant women should avoid eating too much.

　　    Guilinggao originated in Wuzhou, Guangxi, and was developed by Zhizhonghe (founded in 1763), a century-old expert in herbal wellness. There are many enterprises in Wuzhou that produce guilinggao, among which Guangxi Wuzhou Pharmaceutical Group is the one with the longest history and largest production scale. Since turtles are nationally protected wild animals, the turtles used in Shuangqian-brand guilinggao produced by this company are self-developed, experimentally raised, and cultivated. By 2005, Shuangqian-brand guilinggao had captured 50% of the Taiwanese market, 70% of the Hong Kong market, 30% of the Southeast Asian market, and 30%–50% of the U.S. and Canadian markets. Given the significant value of this specialty, in May 2007, after rigorous review, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine approved the implementation of geographical indication product protection for Wuzhou Guilinggao.

　　    Ancient Wuzhou in Guangxi was once known as Cangwu Commandery. In the 3rd century (during the Three Kingdoms period), after the death of Liu Bei, the emperor of Shu Han, local tribes in the southern commanderies took the opportunity to rebel. Zhuge Liang, the prime minister of Shu, personally led troops to suppress the unrest. During the southern campaign, Zhuge Liang stationed his army in Cangwu Commandery. At the time, most of the Shu soldiers were from the north and suffered from discomfort due to the southern climate, with many experiencing vomiting and diarrhea, severely affecting their combat effectiveness. Zhuge Liang, worried, quickly sought advice from locals. They explained that Wuzhou’s climate was hot, humid, and foggy (referred to in ancient times as miasma), and thus offered a remedy: a soup made from local turtles and Smilax glabra. Zhuge Liang had his soldiers try it, and the remedy proved miraculously effective, curing most of them.

　　    Intangible Cultural Heritage

　　    Region: Guangxi: Wuzhou; Cultural Heritage Name: Wuzhou Guilinggao; Heritage Number: Ⅸ-10; Heritage Category: Traditional Medicine; Application Date: 2006; Applicant/Applying Entity: Wuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Heritage Level: Provincial.

　　    The protected geographical indication area for Wuzhou Guilinggao is based on the scope proposed in the "Letter Regarding the Application for Geographical Indication Product Protection for Wuzhou Guilinggao" (Wuzhou Government Letter [2005] No. 231) issued by Wuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, covering the current administrative region under the jurisdiction of Wuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.