What is a place that has been awarded the title of "Global Longevity Township" really like? In our imagination, a "longevity village" would be an idyllic paradise, secluded from the world and rarely visited, aside from its lush green mountains and clear waters. But when we drove five hours from Guangzhou to Dabu County, arriving at the world’s eighth "Global Longevity Township," and tried to uncover the secrets of longevity, we were surprised to find that longevity is actually far less complicated than we had imagined...
To understand a person, observe their vitality; to understand a city, observe its spirit. Dabu, located in the northeast of Guangdong Province, sits along the middle and upper reaches of the Han River and borders southwestern Fujian. Covering an area of 2,467 square kilometers, it governs 15 towns and is home to nearly 570,000 industrious and simple Hakka residents, earning it the nickname "Shangri-La of the Hakka people." It is also renowned as a land of culture, ceramics, famous tea, and Chinese poetry. In 2019, Dabu was honored with the title of "Global Longevity Township," becoming the world’s eighth such township. From its grand history, environment, and culture to the details of daily life—food, clothing, shelter, and transportation—these elements together form Dabu’s vital energy and are the secrets behind its status as a longevity township.
1. Living Environment
It’s hard to imagine that this small, out-of-the-way county with an area of just 2,467 square kilometers has 33 forest parks—1 national, 4 provincial, and 6 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 at 100%. Strolling through the town, you’ll find green mountains and clear waters everywhere; venturing outside the city, you’re greeted by vast open skies and land. This naturally blessed environment has made Dabu a natural oxygen bar, where oxygen-rich forests allow people to breathe deeply and freely.
Selenium-rich soil and water resources are distributed across all 15 towns and areas of Dabu, making them a rare resource linked to longevity. Selenium enhances human immunity, promotes the proliferation of lymphocytes, and the synthesis of antibodies and immunoglobulins, exhibiting significant inhibitory and protective effects against various cancers. Its intermediate metabolite, methylselenol, has strong anti-cancer activity. According to sampling tests conducted by the Testing Center of the Guangdong Research Institute of Ecology and Environment and Soil, the highest selenium content in Dabu's soil reaches 1.9 mg per kilogram. Additionally, Dabu’s naturally selenium-rich water has been developed into bottled drinking water for market distribution.
"Nourish the heart with the Way, and live a peaceful life all year round." Only in such a state of mind can one enjoy health and longevity. And such a mindset naturally requires the nurturing influence of beautiful culture. Dabu boasts a long history and is home to many ancient towns and historic sites. One county actually has three Chinese Historical and Cultural Towns: Baihou Town, Chayang Town, and Sanhe Town—a rarity even nationwide. Throughout the dynasties, the region has produced generations of notable figures and scholars. Folk arts such as Flower Garland Dragon Dance, Lion Cub Dance, and Han Music have been preserved here. With a culture that values education and a simple, honest folkway, people live peacefully with tranquil minds.
2. Diet:
Dabu has a long-standing Hakka food culture. The Hakka people, who have migrated many times, adapted and developed cuisines from the Central Plains, embracing diversity to form their own unique culinary style. There are over 200 types of Dabu snacks, and currently, 15 of them have been recognized as "China Famous Snacks." Numerous local delicacies, such as abacus seeds, Dabu thin pancakes, bamboo shoot pastries, duck pine porridge, and pearl pastries, have been named among the "Top Ten Famous Dishes of Guangdong Hakka Cuisine." Moreover, the preparation methods of Dabu snacks retain traditional techniques without adding chemical seasonings, making them healthy foods that play a significant role in the well-being of Dabu residents.
Cantonese people love medicinal diets, and Dabu is no exception. Ingredients like wild mugwort leaves, dandelion roots, Hedyotis diffusa, and five-fingered citron are combined with meats to make nourishing soups. Dabu is also known for its premium teas and honey pomelos. Even peanuts, tea leaves, daylily buds, tofu skin, Dabu rice wine, tofu cubes, honey, and mineral water are widely regarded as "Dabu longevity foods."
3. Lifestyle:
During our visit to Dabu, besides exploring the landscape and tasting the food, we were also curious about the daily lives of the locals, especially the elderly who enjoy long lives.
Statistics show that Dabu has a total population of 548,900, including 130 centenarians—22.85 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, rising to 79.55 years by 2018. Eating in moderation and maintaining a regular routine are considered by the people of Dabu as the definition of their "happiness index."
Every morning, you can see groups of elderly people exercising in squares and parks. By 8 or 9 in the evening, most shops have already closed. Nightlife seems almost a "non-existent demand" in Dabu.
The spiritual pursuit of the people of Dabu may simply lie in tranquility, elegance, and contentment. Much like the blue-and-white porcelain Dabu is known for—no matter how external factors change, it always maintains an elegant posture. It is precisely because the people of Dabu face and view things with this kind of mindset that they can calmly engage in the art of ceramic creation.
In just a few short days, it’s impossible to gain a deep understanding of Dabu. But from every piece of land, every shop, and every snack, you can feel the vital energy of Dabu and its people—that spirit of a Global Longevity Township. Everything here is not only a gift of nature and the accumulation of history, but also the heritage passed down by the Hakka people over thousands of years.