Yanchi Ermao Fur

Yanchi Ermao Fur

Yanchi Ermao Fur is a product with geographical indication status.

　　 The long-standing fame of Yanchi Tan Sheep is mainly due to the preciousness of their lambskin. When the lambs are 35 to 40 days old, the hides taken after slaughtering are processed using chemical agents and advanced techniques to create a type of fur known as “Ermao Fur.”

　　Ermao Fur has long been praised as “light fur.” Its hide is as thin as thick paper, not only tough and soft but also extremely lightweight. The fur is fine and smooth, snow-white in color, glossy like jade, and the hair tufts naturally form locks with wave-like patterns and up to nine bends, hence the name “Nine Bends.” When the leather hide is gently shaken, the hair tufts cascade downward one after another, resembling gentle ripples on a calm lake or falling snowflakes—light, graceful, and utterly captivating.

　　Various finely crafted products from Tan Sheep fur, including scarves, shawls, winter clothing for men and women, vests, and hunting outfits, are lightweight, warm, comfortable, stylish, elegant, and luxuriously refined. Durable and long-lasting, these items enjoy a high reputation both domestically and internationally and have long been traditional export commodities of the country.

　　Yanchi Ermao Fur

　　Geographic Scope

　　Yanchi County is located in the eastern part of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, in the transitional zone between the Ordos Plateau and the Loess Plateau. It lies between 106°33′–107°47′ east longitude and 37°04′–38°10′ north latitude, with an average elevation of 1,600 meters. It stretches approximately 66 kilometers from east to west and about 110 kilometers from north to south. To the east it borders Dingbian County of Shaanxi Province, to the south it neighbors Huan County of Gansu Province, to the north it connects with Otog Front Banner of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and to the west it adjoins Lingwu City and Tongxin County within the region. Covering a total area of 8,661.3 square kilometers, Yanchi Tan Sheep production spans all eight towns in the county (Huamachi Town, Gaosawo Town, Hui’anpu Town, Dashuikeng Town, Qingshan Township, Mahuangshan Township, Fengjigou Township, and Wanglejing Township). By the end of 2010, the county’s Tan Sheep population reached 2.138 million, yielding over 472,000 pieces of Ermao fur, with the livestock industry generating an output value of 380 million yuan.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: The Ermao fur of Yanchi Tan Sheep features snow-white fur, naturally curved hair tufts, fine and soft fur fibers, vivid and beautiful hair patterns that can be arranged vertically or inverted, resembling undulating water waves or falling snowflakes, presenting a graceful, light, and luxurious appearance. The Tan Sheep fur is white with long, wavy hair that forms beautiful patterns, resulting in a lightweight and soft hide. 2. Internal Quality Features: At birth, the hair tuft length of Tan Sheep lambs is about 5.4 cm, and by 30 days old it can reach around 8 cm. At this stage, the hair tufts are long and compact, ensuring that garments made from the fur will not become loose even after prolonged wear. 3. This product complies with relevant national technical specifications, including: GB/T 14442-2008 "Safety and Hygiene Regulations for Fur Production"; GB2893 "Safety Colors"; GB2894 "Safety Signs and Guideline for Use"; GB5083 "General Principles for Safety and Hygiene Design of Production Equipment"; GB15603 "General Rules for Storage of Common Chemical Hazardous Substances"; GB18218 "Identification of Major Hazard Installations"; GB50016 "Code for Fire Protection Design of Buildings"; GB50052 "Code for Design of Power Supply and Distribution Systems"; GB50054 "Code for Design of Low Voltage Distribution Systems"; and GB50058 "Code for Design of Electrical Installations in Explosive Atmospheres."