Lanxi Muskmelon

Lanxi Muskmelon

Lanxi muskmelon is a product with Geographical Indication for Agricultural Products.

　　Thanks to the excellent production environment, Lanxi muskmelons have smooth surfaces, thick flesh, a crisp texture, sweet taste, and a pleasant aroma. The fruit boasts a high sugar content, excellent mouthfeel, and high quality. It contains higher levels of protein, fat, and other nutrients compared to regular muskmelons. In 2009, the Ministry of Agriculture reviewed and approved the use of the Geographical Indication for Agricultural Products.

　　Muskmelon is a major melon and vegetable variety in Lanxi County and a local specialty. The Lanxi muskmelon embodies the diligence and wisdom of generations of melon growers, with a history spanning over 150 years. With continuous improvements in cultivation techniques and gradual expansion of planting areas, it has gradually formed a regional brand known for its origin in cold black soil, green cultivation methods, and resulting high quality, sweet taste, fragrant aroma, and rich nutrition. In the Harbin market, it is commonly referred to as “Lanxi Muskmelon,” earning fame throughout the province and strong sales in Harbin. Governments at all levels place great emphasis on the development of the muskmelon industry, having registered brands such as “Yulin” and “Kangrong” muskmelons, all of which have passed certification as pollution-free agricultural products. Wholesale markets for melons and vegetables have been established in Yulin Town and Kangrong Township, effectively boosting the sales of muskmelon products.

　　(1) Soil and Topography: The county’s terrain is an inclined plain sloping from northwest to southeast, with elevations ranging from 122 to 206.8 meters. Due to this unique topographical feature, crops receive abundant sunlight and efficient photosynthesis, resulting in high-quality produce and giving Lanxi muskmelons their distinctive qualities. Within the protected area for Lanxi muskmelons, the cultivated land mainly consists of fertile soils such as black soil, chernozem, and meadow soil, with a pH value between 7 and 7.5 and an average organic matter content of about 3.45. The ecological environment is superior, with good soil, agricultural irrigation water, and air quality, and no industrial “three wastes” pollution.

　　(2) Hydrology: The county has the Nihe Reservoir, with a water storage capacity of 70 million cubic meters, and the Hulan River, which passes through with an annual flow of 3.318 billion cubic meters. Through the joint efforts of the entire county, a large number of irrigation, flood control, and waterlogging control projects have been built, forming a basic system of water diversion, storage, and extraction. There are currently 8 small reservoirs, 34 ponds, 340 water storage pools, 800 drought-resistant wells, 4,500 medium wells, 110 kilometers of flood control embankments, and the water supply capacity of water conservancy projects has reached 132 million cubic meters. The water source is abundant, the water quality is good, and there is no industrial drainage pollution, which is conducive to the growth and development of muskmelons.

　　(3) Climate: Lanxi County is located at mid-to-high latitudes and falls within the mid-temperate continental monsoon climate zone. In summer, prevailing southeastern winds bring humidity and abundant rainfall; in winter, northwestern winds dominate, bringing dry and severe cold. The annual average temperature is 2.9°C, the annual accumulated temperature above 10°C is 2,711°C, meeting the heat requirements of crops. The average annual precipitation is 456 millimeters. The average annual sunshine duration is 2,738 hours. The average frost-free period is 132 days, making it particularly suitable for muskmelon growth.

　　(4) Cultural and Historical Background: During the Qin and Han dynasties, Lanxi County was part of the territory of Fuyu and was successively governed by the Xuantu Commandery and Liaodong Commandery of the Han Dynasty. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, it came under the jurisdiction of the Heishui Mohe and the Heishui Dudufu. In the Liao Dynasty, it belonged to the Wanyan Tribe and was governed by the Dongjing Dao. In the Jin Dynasty, it was under the Shangjing Huining Prefecture. In the Yuan Dynasty, it was a grazing area of the Solon Tribe, governed by the Zhaozhou Tun Tian Wanhu Fu. In the Ming Dynasty, in the seventh year of the Yongle era (1409), it was under the jurisdiction of the Wuzhe Right Wei of the Nurgan Dusi. In the twelfth year of the Yongzheng era of the Qing Dynasty (1734), it was governed by the Hulan City Commandant (renamed the Deputy General by the fifth year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty). On January 29, 1905 (the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth month of the thirtieth year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty), Lanxi County was established, with its seat at Shuangmiaozi, named after its location on the west bank of the Hulan River, and was governed by the Hulan Prefecture. Muskmelon is a major melon and vegetable variety in Lanxi County and a local specialty. The Lanxi muskmelon embodies the diligence and wisdom of generations of melon growers in our county, with a history of 150 years. With continuous improvements in cultivation techniques and gradual expansion of planting areas, it has gradually formed a regional brand known for its origin in cold black soil, green cultivation methods, and resulting high quality, sweet taste, fragrant aroma, and rich nutrition. In the Harbin market, it is commonly referred to as “Lanxi Muskmelon,” earning fame throughout the province and strong sales in Harbin. Governments at all levels place great emphasis on the development of the muskmelon industry, having registered brands such as “Yulin” and “Kangrong” muskmelons, all of which have passed certification as pollution-free agricultural products. Wholesale markets for melons and vegetables have been established in Yulin Town and Kangrong Township, effectively boosting the sales of muskmelon products.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Lanxi County is located slightly northwest of Harbin, the provincial capital of Heilongjiang Province, in the southern part of the Songnen Plain. The eastern foothills of the Xiaoxing’an Mountains, the Lahao Ridge, extend along the west bank of the Hulan River and run north-south through the county. The protected area for the geographical indication of Lanxi muskmelons spans longitude 126°41′10″ to 126°39′20″ and latitude 46°02′08″ to 46°20′20″. It includes five townships: Yulin Town, Hongguang Township, Lanxi Town, Fendou Township, and Hongguang Township. The protected area borders Lanhe Township, Changgang Township, and Linjiang Town to the east, Zhao Dong City and Hongxing Township and Pingshan Town of Lanxi County to the west, Hulan to the south, and Beian Township to the north.