Golmud Mongolian Sheep

Golmud Mongolian Sheep

Golmud Mongolian Sheep is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Golmud is a Mongolian term meaning "a place where rivers are densely distributed." The Golmud Mongolian sheep herded by the Mongolian people in Golmud is a branch of the Dongtaijinaier tribe from the Yuan Dynasty. Thanks to the region’s exceptionally rich natural grassland resources, the Golmud Mongolian sheep has become a highlight at Mongolian "Naadam" festivals, joyous celebrations, and Oboo worship ceremonies, often served as whole lamb banquets and hand-grabbed lamb. These culinary delights, along with the unique local Mongolian culture, have gained widespread popularity among consumers both in China and abroad. The term "Mongolian sheep" came into use around the year 1206, when Genghis Khan established the Mongol Empire and unified the northern tribes into a single ethnicity. The sheep raised by the Mongols became collectively known as Mongolian sheep. Along with the historical migration of the Mongolian people, their means of production and daily necessities—including the coarse-wooled, fat-tailed Golmud Mongolian sheep—were brought along. Due to the specific natural environment of the Qaidam Basin where these sheep are raised, long-term natural selection and artificial breeding have resulted in the resilient characteristics of today’s Golmud Mongolian sheep, enabling them to adapt to harsh growth environments and climatic conditions. When butchering and processing the meat, the local Mongolian people emphasize cutting along the joints while keeping each bone intact. This method preserves the full flavor and nutrition of the meat while maintaining its original taste.

　　Golmud Mongolian Sheep is a specialty of Golmud City, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province. The Mongolian sheep of Golmud City is a high-quality dual-purpose breed (meat and fat) developed through long-term selective breeding. Its meat is tender, high in protein, and has a unique flavor, earning it a reputation as a "green food" product. It has been certified with a geographical indication for agricultural products by the Ministry of Agriculture.

　　The Urt Morin Mongolian sheep of Wutumeiren in Golmud City migrated from Xinjiang to Qinghai in the 17th century. After three hundred years of development and breeding on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and within a typical meadow steppe ecological environment, these sheep have developed strong abilities to roam, forage, gain weight, store fat, resist cold and snowstorms. They are also characterized by their large size, abundant meat, thick fat tails, high meat yield, and delicious flavor. The meat contains low moisture and is rich in minerals such as calcium, iron, and phosphorus. The muscle fibers and intramuscular fat deposits are well-developed, giving rise to its unique breed characteristics.

　　Over the years, thanks to the region’s abundant natural grassland resources and nomadic herding practices, Wutumeiren Mongolian mutton has become a preferred choice for preparing whole lamb banquets, hand-grabbed lamb, dried meat, and other delicacies during Mongolian "Naadam" festivals, joyous celebrations, and Oboo worship ceremonies. It is highly favored by consumers both in China and abroad. In Nalinggele Village (formerly Wutumeiren Chahanusu Pastoral Committee) of Wutumeiren Township, there are 53 herding households with a total population of 156. This pastoral community primarily relies on animal husbandry, with a total of 395,000 mu of usable grassland, including 232,500 mu of fenced pasture. The livestock population totals 8,596 animals, supported by 12 livestock sheds, enabling basic year-round settled herding for residents during winter and spring seasons.

　　In 2013, the "Golmud Mongolian Sheep," applied for by the Golmud Nalinggele Ecological Animal Husbandry Professional Cooperative, passed the review of the Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and expert evaluation, and was officially registered and protected under the National Agricultural Product Geographical Indication system.

　　Geographic Scope

　　The geographical indication protection area for Golmud Mongolian Sheep includes Wutumeiren Township and Geluomude Town in Golmud City. It encompasses 14 Mongolian pastoral villages: Nalinggele, Chaikai, Chahanusu, Aobaotu, Xiasitu, Wulanmeiren, Bailiqier, Eriteng, Balegetu in Wutumeiren Township, and Tuolahai, Alar, Qingshuihe, Yushuihe, and Xiugou in Geluomude Town. The protected area spans geographic coordinates from 90°4′40″E to 95°40′10″E longitude and 35°53′10″N to 37°24′10″N latitude. It stretches 169 kilometers from north to south and 442 kilometers from east to west, covering a total area of 3,057,101 hectares. To the south, it borders Yushu Prefecture; to the north, it neighbors Dachaidan and Mangya; to the west, it reaches Xinjiang and Mangya Administrative Committee; and to the east, it adjoins Dulan County. The region’s elevation ranges from 2,790 to over 6,000 meters, featuring a plateau continental climate.