Wulong Alpine Chinese Cabbage

Wulong Alpine Chinese Cabbage

Wulong Alpine Chinese Cabbage is a geographical indication certification trademark.

Wulong Alpine Chinese Cabbage is an agricultural geographical indication product.

　　Wulong Alpine Chinese Cabbage is a specialty of Wulong County, Chongqing, and a China Geographical Indication product. Located on the southeastern edge of Chongqing, Wulong lies at the intersection of the Dalou Mountain fold belt of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Wuling Mountain range. It is one of Chongqing’s four key vegetable production bases and the largest alpine vegetable production county in the municipality. The mountainous area of Wulong County is vast, with the main vegetable base demonstration zones all situated at altitudes above 1,000 meters. The vegetable bases are far from industrial areas, enjoy good air quality, have fertile soil, and are irrigated with unpolluted mountain spring water, resulting in fewer pests and diseases. The vegetables produced are green, safe, and have excellent taste.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Wulong County is located on the southeastern edge of Chongqing, at the intersection of the Dalou Mountain fold belt of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Wuling Mountain range, between 107°13′–108°05′ east longitude and 29°02′–29°40′ north latitude. The terrain is mainly mountainous, with relative elevation differences generally between 700–1,000 meters. The highest elevation in the county is 2,033.3 meters, and the lowest is 160 meters. Wulong Alpine Chinese Cabbage is produced in the high-altitude areas of Meizi Village, Tuansheng Village, and Tuotian Village in Shuanghe Township, located 1,200–1,600 meters north of the Shennongjia Mountain Range National Forest Park in Wulong County, as well as in the high-altitude regions of Chepan Village and Baoyan Village in Baima Town within the 1,000–1,200-meter elevation range of the Baima Mountain Nature Reserve. The production area covers 700 hectares, with an annual output of 40,000 tons.

　　Natural Ecological Environment and Humanistic-Historical Factors

　　(1) Soil and Topography: The production area for Wulong Alpine Chinese Cabbage features limestone strata, with yellow soil as the predominant type—mostly rock-derived soil—with a pH value of 5.5–6.5 and an average organic matter content of 2.6–3%. The ecological environment is superior, with good soil, agricultural irrigation water, and air quality, and no pollution from industrial “three wastes.”

　　(2) Hydrology: The county has a highly developed water system. The main stem of the Wu River flows from east to west across the entire territory, spanning over 80 kilometers. Twelve tributaries—including the Furong River, Daxi River, Muzong River, Changtu River, and Shiliang River—converge with the Wu River, forming the Wu River water system within Wulong. Apart from the Wu River, the total volume of water resources in the county is 2.17 billion cubic meters, including 2.08 billion cubic meters of surface water runoff. Agricultural irrigation water in the production area mainly relies on surface runoff or reservoirs, with abundant seasonal water supply. The silt content of agricultural irrigation water is 5–20%, with a mineralization degree of <1 g/L. The irrigation water temperature can be reasonably adjusted according to the natural characteristics of the county and the growth period of crops, meeting the national quality requirements for farmland irrigation water.

　　(3) Climate: The region has a subtropical monsoon climate characterized by mild temperatures, abundant rainfall, distinct seasons, with spring rains, summer droughts, prolonged autumn drizzles, and dry winters. There are many clouds and little sunshine, a relatively long frost-free period, and significant vertical climatic variation. The annual average temperature is 10–17°C, the annual rainfall is 1,094.4 mm, the frost-free period is 210–260 days, and the relative humidity of the air is 74–83%.

　　(4) Humanistic-Historical Factors: Wulong County is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site for karst landscapes, with a forest coverage rate of around 40%. The area features the Shennongjia Mountain Range National Forest Park, Baima Mountain Nature Reserve, Furong River Scenic Area, and attractions such as Furong Cave, Tiankeng Three Bridges, and the Crevice. Since the 19th century, there has been a tradition of planting Chinese cabbage in high-altitude areas, with large-scale cultivation beginning in the early 1980s following the introduction of new varieties. Since then, continuous variety updates and quality control have led to an expansion in planting area. Due to the extensive high-altitude arable land, crop rotation practices, and favorable climate with very few pests and diseases, the “Wulong Alpine Chinese Cabbage” produced here has distinctive qualities—it is crisp, tender, sweet, and delicious, suitable for stir-frying, boiling, or serving cold. Wulong was Chongqing’s first county to comprehensively advance pollution-free vegetable production. Wulong vegetables have become a major source of supply for Chongqing’s main urban area during the autumn off-season, and have also gained a foothold in surrounding provinces, municipalities, and southeastern coastal markets. The high volume of product exports has significantly increased farmers’ incomes and prosperity. The Wulong County Government has identified vegetable production as a leading agricultural industry for the county, and the Chongqing Municipal Government has listed the Wulong vegetable base as a key supply source for ensuring autumn vegetable supply in Chongqing’s main urban area.

　　Production Technical Requirements

　　(1) Production Area Selection: The production area for Wulong Alpine Chinese Cabbage is located in the high-altitude regions of Meizi Village, Tuansheng Village, and Tuotian Village in Shuanghe Township, 1,200–1,600 meters north of the Shennongjia Mountain Range National Forest Park, and in Chepan Village and Baoyan Village in Baima Town within the 1,000–1,200-meter altitude range of the Baima Mountain Nature Reserve. The production area quality complies with the “Agricultural Product Safety Quality – Pollution-Free Vegetable Production Area Environmental Requirements” (GB18407.1-2001).

　　(2) Variety Selection: Select high-quality Chinese cabbage varieties that are resistant to pests and diseases, have good external and internal quality, and meet market demand.

　　(3) Production Process Management: Wulong Alpine Chinese Cabbage follows the technical standards outlined in the “Pollution-Free Food Chinese Cabbage Production Technical Regulations” (NY/T5004-2001).

　　(4) Product Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling: Wulong Alpine Chinese Cabbage adjusts sowing periods appropriately according to seasonal market demand for vegetables. During the maturity period, harvesting and supply are timed based on market conditions and the growth status of the cabbage.

　　Locally and for Chongqing’s main urban market, fully matured portions of the product are directed to dehydration processing.

　　(5) Production Record Requirements: Field production records are established by producers, base specialized cooperatives, or township agricultural service centers. These records comprehensively document and properly preserve all relevant information for future reference.

　　Typical Quality Characteristics and Product Quality Safety Standards

　　(1) Product Characteristics of Wulong Alpine Chinese Cabbage: Appearance: The fruit is a cylindrical, relatively thick and short silique. Leaves are bright in color, with appropriate moisture and no wilting. The surface is free of dirt, dust, or other contaminants, and shows no signs of heartburn, cracked heads, rot, off-odors, freezing damage, pests, diseases, or mechanical injury. Product Quality: The cabbage is crisp, tender, sweet, and has an excellent taste.

　　(2) Safety Requirements for Wulong Alpine Vegetables: Products comply with the “Agricultural Product Safety Quality – Pollution-Free Vegetable Safety Requirements” (GB18406.1-2001).

　　Packaging, Labeling, and Related Standards

　　Based on shape, color, tenderness, and product characteristics, Wulong Alpine Chinese Cabbage is classified into four grades after harvest: Special Grade, Premium Grade, First Grade, and Second Grade. Special Grade products are transported by refrigerated trucks to ports by export enterprises, then shipped fresh to southeastern coastal areas or exported to Southeast Asia using refrigerated containers. Premium Grade products are quantitatively packaged on fresh vegetable trays with cling film, labeled with vegetable quality and safety identifiers, and stored in layered plastic boxes indicating product name, net weight, origin, harvest date, and shockproof measures. These are delivered quickly to contracted supermarkets by fresh produce processing enterprises. First Grade products are transported in bulk or bags to wholesale markets in Chongqing’s main urban area and surrounding regions. Second Grade products are directly purchased by county-level processing enterprises and processed through dehydration, salting, or pickling methods.