Huangguo from Zhongpai, Lanping

Huangguo from Zhongpai, Lanping

　　Huangguo from Zhongpai, Lanping is a specialty of Zhongpai Township, Lanping Bai and Pumi Autonomous County in the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. With its vibrant orange-red hue, richly fragrant aroma, sweet and tangy juice, as well as its loose, easy-to-peel skin and easily separable segments, it is highly favored by locals. Like the sweet oranges from Tü'e Township in the same county, it is also a standout among citrus fruits.

　　Zhongpai is a mountainous township located by the Lancang River and is one of the most remote and isolated areas in the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture.

　　In early spring, hillsides and valleys are blanketed in seas of pale yellow blossoms, while winding paths snake through the floral landscapes like black ribbons undulating amid the blooms. A gentle breeze carries waves of fragrance through the courtyards, and petals flutter in the wind, resembling colorful butterflies dancing over the floral sea. Even more spectacular is the golden autumn season, when rugged mountains, winding trails, forest edges, field ridges, and courtyards are all adorned with trees and clusters of large, fruit-laden Huangguo. As the name suggests, the fruit is golden yellow, shimmering brilliantly under the sunlight—so much so that at a glance, it could almost be mistaken for the legendary golden fruit tree. Due to its isolated location, Zhongpai Huangguo has long been unable to share its delicious sweetness with the wider world. Like a beautiful maiden confined within the valley for years on end, it remained hidden. In recent years, however, Zhongpai Huangguo has entered the mainstream flow of commerce and has ranked among the top in Yunnan Province’s quality evaluation fairs, being listed as one of the region’s renowned and premium specialty products.