This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival in Huailai County, Hebei Province, was exceptionally lively. In addition to the regular visitors from Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei who come to Huailai for short holidays, friends from all over the country also traveled far and wide after hearing about the Huailai Grape (Wine) Festival through Weibo, forums, and other channels. Guests from near and far gathered together to enjoy fine wine, savor delicious food, and take in the beautiful scenery. The festive atmosphere during this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival was particularly strong.
On September 5, at the opening ceremony of the 15th China・Huailai Grape (Wine) Festival, the Huailai County Government officially unveiled ten highlight events for this year’s festival, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience. Meanwhile, the three premium tourism routes launched by Huailai leveraging the momentum of the Grape (Wine) Festival also caught the attention of many netizens.
Explore the Enchanting Huailai and Savor Grape Culture
Huailai has a long history of grape cultivation, spanning nearly 1,200 years. As early as ancient times, there were legends about Emperor Shun and the grapes of Huailai. The name “Grape (Wine) Festival” may sound trendy and international, but it is actually a long-standing tradition in Huailai, known as the “Hometown of Chinese Grapes” and the “Hometown of Chinese Wine.” Since 1999, Huailai has held grand grape and wine festivals every Mid-Autumn Festival during the grape harvest season. This year marks the 15th edition of the festival, and the deep connection between Huailai and grapes and wine is truly remarkable.
Over the past 15 years, the continuous hosting of the Huailai Grape (Wine) Festival has firmly established the label of “grapes and wine” as an integral part of Huailai’s identity. It is reported that this year’s festival features a variety of cultural activities, including the “Wang Cizhong and Chinese Culture Symposium,” the “Grapes and Wine Knowledge Competition,” and the “Huailai Style Art Exhibition.”
Rising Industrial Value: Building the Ultimate Grape Festival
In recent years, Huailai County has focused on strengthening and expanding the grape and wine industry as a pillar of its county-level economic development. By continuously expanding scale and improving development standards, the county has forged a development path characterized by “standardized planting, scaled processing, systematic industry, and high-end products.” Currently, the county has 270,000 acres of grape plantations, 35 wineries, a wine processing capacity of 200,000 tons, an annual wine production of 70,000 tons, and an annual output value exceeding 4 billion yuan.
In the process of developing its wine industry, Huailai has witnessed the journey of dry wines from nonexistence to prominence, and the growth of the wine industry from small to large. It now holds a splendid and classic place on the world wine map. As the value of Huailai’s grape industry continues to rise, numerous visitors are drawn here, and the reputation of the Huailai Grape (Wine) Festival continues to grow.
The Golden Land of Grape Cultivation: Premium Varieties for Visitors to Pick
Located on the 40°N grape and wine life line, Huailai County enjoys an average annual temperature of 8.9°C and an average annual precipitation of 400 mm. With distinct seasons, abundant sunshine, rain and heat occurring in the same season, and significant day-night temperature differences, it is one of the best regions in the country for growing both table and wine grapes. Alongside France’s Bordeaux and California in the United States, it is recognized as one of the world’s three golden zones for grape cultivation.
Grape cultivation covers 16 towns across the county, allowing visitors to pick fresh grapes almost anywhere they go. Thanks to its exceptional natural environment, Huailai produces an extremely diverse range of grape varieties, totaling more than 80. These are divided into three main categories: wine grapes, table grapes, and dual-purpose grapes. Among them, the most well-known “Nuquan” brand White Milk Grape has become a famous trademark of Hebei Province, while the seeds of the “Sandao Wan” grape even underwent space breeding experiments aboard the Shenzhou VIII spacecraft.
In addition to premium grape varieties, Huailai County also offers a variety of specialty products such as Jiuzhuangwo Golden Silk Jujubes, Xiaonanxinhpu Octagonal Crabapples, Shidong Colored Apples, Shipian Yellow Apricots, Beixinpu Kobo Peaches, Laojunzhuang Strawberries, Dongbali “Furen” Apples, Dongbali Fragrant Walnuts, and Caomiaozi Jonathan Apples. During this year’s Grape (Wine) Festival, special sightseeing and picking activities have been arranged for Huailai’s premium fruits, including Sangyuan Grapes, Jiuzhuangwo Jujubes, Octagonal Crabapples, and Jonathan Apples, allowing visitors to engage in hands-on picking and enjoy the fun of the harvest.
It is reported that this year’s Huailai Grape (Wine) Festival will run until October 7. During the festival, visitors can enjoy a variety of grape-themed cultural and leisure activities in Huailai. With its profound cultural heritage and unique industrial value, Huailai’s grape industry is developing rapidly. On this magical land of Huailai, many more stories about grapes will continue to unfold.