Gande Yak

Gande Yak

Gande Yak is a product recognized under the Agricultural Product Geographic Indication scheme.

　　Gande Yak is a specialty of Gande County in Guoluo Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It is a product protected under China’s National Agricultural Product Geographic Indication.

　　Rarity adds value — while most yaks in the world are black or mixed-colored, the black yaks that thrive on the magical plateau of Gande, Qinghai, have naturally become a rare and precious yak species globally. The Gande Yak is an ancient, primitive breed unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Yaks are known for their ability to withstand extreme cold, endure hard labor, thrive in harsh conditions, climb skillfully, and resist disease — hence their reputation as the “boats of the plateau.” Gande County has an average altitude of 4,300 meters, with terrain sloping from northwest to southeast. The area features many high mountains and few flatlands. In the Yellow River region, the mountains are steep, rocky, and rugged, with many cliffs and rocky hills. The Yellow River valley forms some alluvial and terraced lands that are relatively flat with gentle slopes, serving as key bases for developing forage grass cultivation. Water resources are relatively abundant and evenly distributed, with water available in every valley and gully. The water quality is good, meeting the needs of people, livestock, and irrigation for grasslands. Gande Yak meat is tender, delicious, and highly palatable. It boasts bright color, rich flavor, fragrant aroma, tenderness, and juiciness. It is characterized by high protein and low fat content, making it a pure, natural green food. It also helps dispel wind and dampness, supplement calcium, and strengthen muscles and bones. It plays a significant role in enhancing human immunity, boosting cellular vitality, and improving organ function. The bones of black yaks contain not only various proteins but also rich, easily absorbable natural elements such as calcium, iron, and zinc. They are particularly beneficial for children’s brain development, women’s blood health, and for middle-aged and elderly individuals seeking to strengthen their bones, dispel cold, and eliminate dampness. Legend has it that over a thousand years ago, Tibetan people lived generation after generation at the foot of Bayan Har Mountain. The climate was harsh, and with so many cattle, the grassland became extremely crowded. The Tibetans discussed heading out to find new pastures. They prayed by burning juniper under Bayan Har Mountain, asking the gods to grant them broader grasslands where their tribes could settle permanently. A young hero named Huaxiu, clad in white battle robes and riding a black yak, was skilled in herding and hunting. He volunteered and said, “I will find a vast grassland with lush grass and sweet water.” He was away for over a year before returning. When the Tibetans asked, “Did you find it?” he replied, “Yes, it’s at the foot of Mount Anyemaqen.” Everyone was overjoyed. Led by the young hero, men, women, children, and livestock set off toward the direction of Kunlun Mountain. Just as they reached the mouth of a canyon, the yaks they were herding began to act wildly, howling like mad and circling in place, refusing to go forward. This sight made the people, so attached to their homeland, burst into tears. As they followed the yaks out of the canyon, they were met with a horrific scene. A giant black horned monster lay coiled at the exit. Then, from the depths of the snow mountain, a terrifying creature emerged. It had a green face and fangs, its whole body dark like storm clouds, and it roared angrily as it charged toward the herd, killing many yaks. The young hero Huaxiu rode his black yak and fought the monster. Everyone was terrified and anxious, deeply worried for the brave youth. Huaxiu battled the monster for a day and a night, stirring up flying sand and darkness until the sky turned pitch black. The black monster was indeed incredibly powerful, and in the end, the young hero Huaxiu was wounded while the exhausted monster fled. The Tibetan people set up tents there. They carried the wounded hero into a tent, selected a particularly strong yak from the herd, slaughtered it, and cooked the best yak meat. They served Huaxiu thick, rich yak soup, and instantly, his wound healed, filling him with renewed strength. The next day, the monster returned to attack the yaks and sheep again. The young hero Huaxiu rode the black yak, armed with the toughest bow and arrows, and fought the monster once more. Eventually, he shot and killed the beast with an arrow. The heroic Huaxiu and his people continued their journey. They walked on and on, enduring countless hardships, not knowing how far or how long they traveled. One day, a magnificent and majestic snow mountain loomed before them — Mount Anyemaqen. Huaxiu declared, “This snow mountain is where our home lies!” And so, they stopped and settled there forever. The land boasted vast grasslands, lush forests, babbling streams, and tinkling mountain springs — a truly ideal place for grazing. From then on, they made this place their home, passing down the legacy through generations until today.

　　In 2013, “Gande Yak,” submitted by the Gande County Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station, passed the review of the Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and expert evaluation. It was then registered and protected under China’s National Agricultural Product Geographic Indication scheme.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Gande County is located in the southeastern part of Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, between 99°26′30″ to 100°53′ east longitude and 33°33′ to 34°24′ north latitude. It spans 1°16′70″ in longitude and 0°91′ in latitude. To the east it borders Gansu Province, to the south the Yellow River, and it neighbors Dari and Jiuzhi respectively. Its northwest borders Maqen. The yak-raising areas of Gande County span across six townships and one town — Shanggongma, Kequ, Qingzhen, Xiazangke, Jiangqian, Xiagongma, and Ganglong. The elevations generally range between 3,630 and 5,200 meters, all falling within the yak protection zone. The geographic coordinates are between 99°36′30″ to 100°53′ east longitude and 33°33′ to 34°24′ north latitude. The county covers a total land area of 7,046 square kilometers, with 9.7688 million mu (about 651,253 hectares) of grassland, of which 8.8193 million mu (about 587,953 hectares) are usable — accounting for 90.3% of the total grassland area. Yaks in Qinghai Province account for one-third of the global yak population and over 90% of China’s total yak population.