Xiaozhai Cherries

Xiaozhai Cherries

　　Xiaozhai cherries are a specialty of Xiaozhai Township in Ludian County, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province. The Xiaozhai cherries from Ludian have a planting history of over 300 years. Their flowers are white with a blush of red, and the fruits offer a taste that is sweet with a hint of sourness, and sour with an underlying sweetness. They are juicy, delicious, and refreshing—truly a fruit among the finest.

　　Xiaozhai Township, located 13 kilometers from Ludian County, features a long, narrow terrain stretching from south to north, about 15 kilometers wide from east to west and 30 kilometers long from north to south. The land slopes from high in the northeast to low in the southwest, descending from mountainous areas to river valleys. Elevations in Xiaozhai range from a maximum of 2,676 meters down to 1,520 meters, with an average annual temperature of 14.7 degrees Celsius, a frost-free period of up to 298 days, and normal annual rainfall of 750 millimeters. Xiaozhai falls within a warm, dry valley climate zone, enjoying abundant sunlight and a mild climate. These uniquely favorable geographic and climatic conditions make it suitable for growing off-season vegetables and certain fruit varieties.

　　Xiaozhai Township is widely known as the “hometown of cherries.” A popular local rhyme goes: “Cherries line the way, people fill the street; little bridges arch o’er streams so sweet, fresh veggies and fruits for you to pick, garden delicacies yours to lick; savor each bite, smile with delight, bustling traffic thrives day and night, farmers’ pockets jingle with cash tight.”

　　The beautifully shaped and delicious Xiaozhai cherries from Ludian are not only pleasing in appearance and taste, but also highly nutritious. Scientific analysis shows that cherries contain citric acid, tartaric acid, carbohydrates, protein, as well as calcium, phosphorus, iron, and vitamins A, B, and C, among other components. In particular, their iron content ranks first among all fruits—20 to 30 times higher than that of pears, apples, and citrus fruits. Xiaozhai cherries are popular in Zhaotong, Kunming, Sichuan, and other regions. From mid-April to May each year, the riverbanks of Xiaozhai Township are covered in bright red cherries. Visitors can not only enjoy the view from afar but also step into the orchards to savor the fruits.