Shangri-La Yak Meat

Shangri-La Yak Meat

Shangri-La yak meat is a product with geographical indication status.

　　Yaks are truly treasures — their meat is edible, hides can be made into clothing, boots, bags, and more; the head can be crafted into artwork, the tail into a broom for sweeping dust, and the penis is considered an aphrodisiac.

　　Diqing yaks, due to their lifelong habitat at altitudes above 3,500 meters where many wild medicinal plants such as Fritillaria and cordyceps grow, often consume these herbs, resulting in exceptionally delicious meat. After slaughter, it can be braised, stewed, or air-dried into dried meat, each method imparting a unique flavor.

　　Eating yak meat in Diqing is truly a delight. Dried meat and meat floss can be purchased at markets as thoughtful gifts for family and friends.

　　Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is located in the eastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and is Yunnan Province’s only Tibetan autonomous prefecture and pastoral area. It borders Tibet to the north, Sichuan Province’s Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture to the east, and Yunnan’s Nujiang Prefecture and Lijiang City to the southwest. The terrain is high in the north and low in the south, featuring deeply dissected landforms with significant elevation differences. The highest peak is Kawagarbo on Meili Snow Mountain, standing at 6,740 meters — the highest in Yunnan — while the lowest valley is at 1,486 meters, creating an absolute elevation difference of 5,254 meters. Such dramatic elevation changes over a relatively small area result in distinct vertical climates and a three-dimensional ecological environment. The region has a temperate to cold temperate climate, covering a total area of 23,870 square kilometers, with an average annual temperature ranging from 4.7°C to 16.5°C, a maximum annual temperature of 25.1°C, and a minimum of –27.4°C. Yak farming (free-range) areas in Diqing Prefecture are all located on high-altitude grasslands above 3,000 meters. The yak farming bases of the Diqing Shangri-La Yak Industry Association are situated in Zhaxiu Township of Deqen County, Nyitu Township of Shangri-La County, Xiaozhongdian, Jiantang Town, with an average altitude of 3,340 meters. Shangri-La yaks are distributed across 14 townships in Diqing Prefecture, including Jiantang Town, Xiaozhongdian Township, Luoji Township, Nyitu Township, Gezan Township, Dongwang Township, Nixi Township, and Wujiang Township in Shangri-La County; Zhaxiu Township, Yanmen Township, Yunling Township, Fogang Township, and Benzilan in Deqen County; and Badisi Township in Weixi County. The breed raised is one of China’s superior yak breeds — “Shangri-La Yak” (formerly known as Zhongdian Yak). Geographically, it lies between 98°25′–100°18′ east longitude and 26°25′–29°16′ north latitude, spanning a farming area of 7,167 square kilometers with 12.384 million mu of natural grassland. Shangri-La yak farming (free-range) areas are all situated at elevations between 3,000 and 3,500 meters. The current yak population is over 56,000 head (excluding dzo), yielding approximately 7,840 tons of yak meat after slaughter. The designated yak slaughterhouse is located in Jiantang Town, Shangri-La County.