Dangchang Astragalus

Dangchang Astragalus

　　Dangchang Astragalus is a specialty of Dangchang County in Longnan, Gansu Province. Dangchang County is located in southern Gansu, in the midstream of the Bailong River and on the banks of the Min River, northwest of Longnan City. It borders Li County to the east, Zhouqu and Diebu of Gannan Prefecture to the west, Wudu to the south, and Min County of Dingxi to the north, and is known as the hometown of this unique species of astragalus. Dangchang boasts a long history, rich culture, and unique landscapes. As early as the Neolithic Age, ancestors thrived along both banks of the Min River. By the Shang and Western Zhou dynasties (11th century BC), the area was inhabited by the Qiang people and belonged to Longxi Commandery. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, in the early years of Emperor Guangwu, the Qiangdao region was part of Wudu Commandery. In the first year of the Yongjia era during the reign of Emperor Huai of Jin (307 AD), the Qiang people established the Dangchang Kingdom, marking the earliest administrative governance in the region. In the first year of the Tianhe era under Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou (566 AD), the area was designated as Dangzhou, with the establishment of the Dangzhou General Command. In the third year of the Daye era of the Sui Dynasty (607 AD), Dangzhou was renamed Dangchang Commandery, from which the name “Dangchang” has been used to this day. In June 1954, with the approval of the State Council, the seat of Xigu County was moved to Dangchang, and on November 13, Xigu County was renamed Dangchang County. From 1935 to 1936, the First, Second, and Fourth Front Armies of the Red Army passed through Hadapu twice, where the decision was made to establish a revolutionary base in northern Shaanxi. Hadapu is hailed as the “fueling station” of the Red Army’s Long March. In 2005, it was listed by the state as one of China’s 30 premium red tourism routes and one of 100 key “red tourism” scenic areas. The Hadapu Long March Memorial Hall has been designated as a National Patriotic Education Base, a National Cultural Heritage Protection Unit, and a Famous Historical and Cultural Town in China. Dangchang features uniquely diverse terrain, embodying the grandeur of northern landscapes and the beauty of the south. In particular, the Guanyin Valley, a national AAAA-level forest park, is famed for its numerous scenic spots and extraordinary vistas, often referred to as the “Little Jiuzhaigou,” making it a renowned tourist destination. Ancient ruins of the Dangchang Kingdom, the perilous plank roads from the Three Kingdoms period, the nationally famous Hadapu Red Army Long March Memorial Hall, and the picturesque natural scenery of Guanyin Valley, along with distinctive folk customs and vibrant folk art, create a perfect harmony between cultural and natural attractions. Dangchang lies at the intersection of the Minshan Mountain Range on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau and the extended Qinling Mountains, characterized by high mountains, steep slopes, and complex terrain. It sits within a transitional zone encompassing subtropical, temperate, and frigid climate types. Due to its unique geographical location, significant climatic variations, and abundant sunlight, the area enjoys a distinct layered climate that results in the saying “four seasons on one mountain, different weather within ten miles,” providing ideal conditions for cultivating medicinal herbs. Dangchang County is rich in medicinal herb resources and has long been celebrated as the “Millennial Home of Medicine” and a “Natural Herb Treasury.” The county is home to over 690 types of medicinal herbs, including more than 400 wild species, with 142 varieties available for regular procurement. Among the commonly cultivated and widely grown herbs are angelica, rhubarb, codonopsis, red astragalus, and astragalus, totaling more than 10 types. It can be said that Dangchang is truly a treasure trove of natural medicinal herbs. Within this natural reservoir are many high-quality herbs with unique local populations and traits, and Dangchang Astragalus is one of them. Li Shizhen’s *Compendium of Materia Medica* states: “[Shizhen remarked] ‘Qi’ means long or tall. Huangqi (Astragalus) is yellow in color and is considered the foremost among tonifying herbs, hence its name. It is now commonly called Huangqi. The Southern Song pharmacologist [Hongjing noted]: ‘The finest Astragalus comes first from TaoYang in Longxi—yellowish-white in color, sweet in taste, but nowadays it is hard to come by.’ TaoYang refers to Minzhou, most of which was historically under Minzhou’s jurisdiction. Astragalus grows on the mountains throughout Dangchang, with a history spanning several thousand years, and is sometimes also called Dangqi. It is classified as a top-grade herb in the *Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica*. Owing to Dangchang’s cool, moist climate, abundant sunlight, high and steep terrain, and complex landforms with diverse and lush vegetation—excluding the river valley areas of the Min River basin—astragalus can be cultivated in all other parts of the county. Both Dangchang Astragalus and Dangchang Red Astragalus enjoy international renown, primarily due to their quality characteristics, which are in turn determined by Dangchang’s unique regional environment. The natural climate, soil, and distinctive cultivation and management techniques in this environment are inseparably linked to the quality traits of Dangchang Astragalus. During the Republican era, it had already become one of the exported commercial medicinal herbs. Starting in 1978, it transitioned from wild harvesting to cultivation. The county’s average annual planting area exceeds 30,000 mu, with a yield reaching 18,000 tons. Successive county Party committees and government leaders in Dangchang have placed great emphasis on the development of the medicinal herb industry, which has garnered significant attention from higher-level organizations and relevant departments. In 2002, the cultivation of medicinal herbs in Dangchang received assistance from the National Pharmaceutical Corporation. The Department of Medicinal Materials under the Ministry of Agriculture assigned Comrade Liang Jinlong to serve as the deputy county head in Dangchang, focusing on the planting, processing, and sales of premium and specialty medicinal herbs. Over the years of cultivation and processing, various levels of organizations and farmers have developed a wealth of experience in medicinal herb cultivation, further expanding strong brands and driving the continuous growth of the industry. At the same time, a comprehensive service system has been established. The county has a dedicated Medicinal Herb Development Service Center responsible for planning and guidance, technical training, information exchange, and coordination related to the development of the medicinal herb industry. Through the establishment of demonstration sites, selection and introduction of new varieties, and continuous improvement of cultivation techniques, the center promotes pollution-free standardized cultivation and formula fertilization. Every stage, from planting materials to production, is strictly monitored to ensure yield and quality, leading to unprecedented development in astragalus cultivation. In summary, Dangchang Astragalus has been listed as an exported commercial medicinal herb since the Republican era. Since the shift to cultivation in 1978, it has been widely promoted and developed, gaining international acclaim. With market guidance, government encouragement, and technical support, astragalus production demonstrates high enthusiasm among the public, large planting areas, high yields, scientific and standardized cultivation, and high product quality with abundant medicinal components. The industry is beginning to show trends of large-scale production, large markets, and broad circulation. The astragalus industry has become the most distinctive and promising pillar industry in Dangchang, with vast development potential.

　　Region: Gansu

　　Applicant: Dangchang County Medicinal Herb Development Service Center

　　Region: 2013

　　Geographic Scope

　　Dangchang Astragalus can be cultivated in the high-altitude mountainous areas across Dangchang County, within the range of 104°01′–104°25′ east longitude and 33°46′–34°03′ north latitude, at elevations of 1,900 to 2,200 meters in cool semi-arid and temperate semi-humid zones. The area includes 25 townships such as Awu, Hadapu, Lichuan, Bali, Pangjia, Nanhe, Hejiabao, Muer, Xinghua, Chela, Jiangtai, Jiahe, Chengguan, Xinchengzi, Linjiang, Ganjiangtou, Lianghekou, Shawan, Guanting, Xinzhai, Shizi, Nanyang, Goti, Zhuyuan, and Hanyuan, covering 334 administrative villages with a total area of 3,333.1 square kilometers. The astragalus planting area spans 4,300 hectares, with an annual output of 36,000 tons.