What exactly is a place that has been awarded the title of "Global Longevity County"? In our imagination, a "longevity village" would be a secluded paradise, far from the hustle and bustle of the world, surrounded by green mountains and clear waters. But when we drove five hours from Guangzhou to the county town of Dabu to visit the world’s eighth "Global Longevity County" and try to uncover the secrets of longevity, we were surprised to find that living a long life is actually not as complicated as we had imagined...
To understand a person, look at their spirit; to understand a city, look at its spirit as well. Dabu, located in the northeastern part of Guangdong Province along the middle and upper reaches of the Han River and adjacent to southwestern Fujian, covers an area of 2,467 square kilometers and governs 15 towns and districts. Nearly 570,000 industrious and simple Hakka residents live on this beautiful land, which is known as the "Shangri-La of the Hakka people." It is also renowned as a famous cultural destination, a hometown of ceramics, a land of premium tea, and a cradle of Chinese poetry. In 2019, Dabu was awarded the title of "Global Longevity County," becoming the world’s eighth such county. From history and environment to culture, and down to everyday life—these all contribute to Dabu’s unique spirit and are the secrets behind its status as a longevity haven.
1. Living
It’s hard to imagine that this small county, covering just 2,467 square kilometers, has 33 forest parks—including one national-level, four provincial-level, and six nature reserves—with a total standing timber volume of 11.1 million cubic meters and a forest coverage rate of 76.34%. The air quality here remains good year-round, reaching 100%. Strolling through the town, you’re surrounded by green mountains and clear waters; venturing outside the urban area, you’re greeted by vast open skies. The region’s exceptional natural conditions have turned Dabu into a natural oxygen bar, where its oxygen-rich forests allow people to breathe deeply and freely.
Selenium-rich soil and water resources are found across all 15 towns and districts in Dabu, and are considered rare longevity resources. Selenium boosts the immune system, promotes the proliferation of lymphocytes, and aids in the synthesis of antibodies and immunoglobulins. It has significant inhibitory and protective effects against various cancers, and its intermediate metabolite in the body, methylselenol, has strong anti-cancer activity. According to sampling tests conducted by the Analysis and Testing Center of the Guangdong Research Institute of Ecology, Environment and Soil, the highest selenium content in Dabu’s soil is 1.9 milligrams per kilogram. The naturally selenium-rich water in Dabu has even been developed into marketable drinking water.
"Nourishing the spirit with the Way leads to peacefulness throughout the year." Only with such a state of mind can one enjoy health and longevity. And such a mindset naturally requires cultivation through beautiful human culture. Dabu has a long and rich history, with many ancient towns and historic sites. Remarkably, one single county is home to three Chinese Historical and Cultural Famous Towns: Baihou Town, Chayang Town, and Sanhe Town—a rarity even across the whole country. Throughout history, the county has produced numerous notable figures and talents in every era. Various folk arts and cultural traditions such as Flower Garland Dragon Dance, Lion Cub Dance, and Han Music have been preserved here. With a culture that values education and literature and simple, kind-hearted people, residents live peacefully with a calm and composed state of mind.
2. Diet:
Dabu boasts a long-standing Hakka culinary culture. The Hakka people, who have migrated many times, adapted and enhanced cuisines from various parts of Central China, creating their own unique and diverse dishes. Dabu offers over 200 types of snacks, with 15 currently recognized as “China Famous Snacks.” Dishes such as Abacus Seeds, Dabu Pancakes, Bamboo Shoot Pastries, Duck Fluff Soup, and Pearl Pastries have been ranked among the “Top Ten Hakka Dishes of Guangdong.” Moreover, the preparation methods for Dabu snacks retain traditional techniques without the use of chemical flavorings, making them healthy food options that play an important role in the wellbeing of Dabu residents.
Cantonese people love medicinal cuisine, and Dabu is no exception. Ingredients such as wild mugwort leaves, dandelion roots, Oldenlandia diffusa, and Ficus hirta are simmered with meat and bones to make nourishing soups. Premium teas and honey pomelos are also specialties of Dabu. Even peanuts, tea leaves, daylily buds, dried tofu skin, Dabu Niang Wine, tofu, honey, and mineral water are widely recognized as “Longevity Foods of Dabu County.”
3. Lifestyle:
During our visit to Dabu, besides exploring its landscapes and tasting its food, we were also curious about the daily lives of the local residents, especially the elderly and long-lived individuals.
Statistics show that Dabu currently has a total population of 548,900, with 130 centenarians—equating to 22.85 centenarians per 100,000 people. There are 13,071 residents aged 80–89, accounting for 22.98‰ of the population, and 3,897 aged 90–99, making up 6.85‰. According to the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the average life expectancy in Dabu County was 78.86 years, and by 2018 it had risen to 79.55 years. Eating in moderation and maintaining a regular routine are considered by the people of Dabu to be the definition of a “happiness index.”
Every morning, you can see groups of elderly people practicing in parks and squares. By 8 or 9 in the evening, most shops have closed, and nightlife seems almost non-existent in Dabu.
The spiritual pursuits of the people in Dabu may simply lie in tranquility, elegance, and contentment. Much like the blue-and-white porcelain that Dabu is known for, no matter how external factors change, it maintains its graceful posture. It is precisely because the people of Dabu face and view things with such a mindset that they can calmly engage in the art of ceramic creation.
Just a few short days are not enough to gain a deep understanding of Dabu. But from every piece of land, every shop, and every snack, you can feel the spirit of Dabu and its people—the spirit of a Global Longevity County. Everything here is not only a gift from nature and the accumulation of history, but also the heritage passed down by the Hakka people over thousands of years.