What Special Local Products Are There in Zhaoqing?

Zhaoqing glutinous rice wraps under the Dinghushan Brand are soaked in sweet, clear mountain spring water from Dinghu Mountain, lending them an exceptionally natural delicious flavour. Great care goes into their production. First, winter leaves with a vivid green hue, aromatic scent and natural antiseptic properties are chosen as the outer wrapping. Next, premium glutinous rice and mung beans harvested that same year are selected. For the filling, pork with balanced layers of fat and lean meat is ideal, seasoned with five-spice powder and rice wine to create a rich, fragrant filling that is succulent yet not greasy.

The soaked glutinous rice, mashed mung beans and pork filling are moulded into angular parcels. These wraps are then simmered over an open flame in large vats for over ten hours until the rice, mung beans and pork meld completely, yielding a fragrant, soft and mellow delicacy.

Why are Zhaoqing gorgon nuts so sought-after? Their wide range of uses accounts for their popularity. Also known as euryale ferox seeds, they are used in soups and traditional Chinese herbal medicine. They clear internal heat, dispel dampness, nourish yin, tonify the kidneys and invigorate the spleen, ranking as the finest variety of gorgon nuts. Botanically named Euryale ferox, a member of the water lily family, the seeds grown in Zhaoqing are plump with potent medicinal effects, hence the special name "Zhaoqing gorgon nuts".

A time-honoured premium local specialty of Zhaoqing, genuine native produce beloved by people at home and abroad, Zhaoqing gorgon nuts possess astringent, nourishing and restorative properties. Frequently added to stewed meats, soups or herbal prescriptions, they relieve diarrhoea by strengthening the spleen, nourish yin and the kidneys, clear heat and eliminate dampness, making them a rare nourishing tonic.

Versatile for braising, simmering and stewing, they feature in dishes such as gorgon nut winter melon cup, taro and gorgon nut soup, and pan-fried gorgon nut slices. Zhaoqing gorgon nuts hold a registered geographical indication certification trademark.

Begonia fimbristipula grows on the steep cliff faces of Dinghu Mountain. When dried and brewed into tea, it yields a pale red infusion with a tangy, fresh and pleasant taste. It cools the body to relieve summer heat, aids digestion, strengthens the spleen and eases the effects of alcohol.

In the 1960s, Guo Moruo visited Zhaoqing and toured Dinghu Mountain. After drinking begonia fimbristipula tea, he composed a poem: "No need for tea or wine to greet guests; fill cups full with purple back begonia brew." These two lines made the herb even more renowned.

A famed specialty of Zhaoqing’s Dinghu Mountain, begonia fimbristipula is also called red leaf herb or blood-dispersing root. Long celebrated worldwide as an ideal summer cooling beverage ingredient, it belongs to the begonia family, a diminutive herb that thrives in damp environments, clinging to shaded, moist cliff walls. The plant has no above-ground stems, bearing a single basal leaf edged with irregular serrations. The leaf surface is hairy and deep green, while the underside is purple—giving it its common name.

Dinghu Mountain’s begonia fimbristipula grows in the Yunxi-Laoding Scenic Area, mostly clinging to rock faces around the Old Dragon Pool, with an extremely limited annual yield. It clears heat, detoxifies the body, moisturises dryness and relieves coughs. When steeped in boiling water, it produces a purplish-red tea with a mild sour, refreshing flavour; a dash of white sugar further enhances its taste. It alleviates summer heat, boosts digestion, tones the stomach and soothes hangovers.

Huodao arrowroot is a local specialty of Huodao Town, Gaoyao District, Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province. A distinctive traditional farm crop dating back to the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, it was cultivated from wild arrowroot native to the area, with Xindong arrowroot earning the greatest fame. It is marketed under the registered brand "Huoxian Ge".

Night-blooming cereus, also known as queen of the night or epiphyllum anguliger, blooms profusely from Minor Heat to Mid-Autumn Festival. Blossoms burst open especially heavily after wind and rain, earning it the nickname "wind and rain flower".

A hardy cactus family plant that favours warmth and humidity with minimal pest and disease risks, it requires little maintenance. Sweet and cool in nature, it acts on the lung and stomach meridians, containing triacontane to clear phlegm-heat, eliminate accumulated internal heat, ease qi stagnation pain and resolve phlegm fire. Soups simmered with night-blooming cereus calm the heart, moisten the lungs and relieve summer heat, effectively easing coughs with excessive phlegm.

Jinli Town is Zhaoqing’s primary production base for night-blooming cereus, with a planting history spanning over a century since the Qing Dynasty. Official statistics record more than 3,500 mu of cultivated land across the town, an annual output of over 700 tonnes and an annual output value exceeding 18 million yuan, representing a vital income source for local farmers. Jinli night-blooming cereus is famous nationwide and exported to other Chinese provinces, Hong Kong, Macao and Southeast Asian countries.

Tanbu dried sweet potatoes from Guangning County are a much-loved snack enjoyed by people of all ages. Every winter and spring, local families in Guangning always serve this treat to visiting guests.

Guangning spring bamboo shoots feature tender fine fibres, thick crisp flesh with a sweet, refreshing flavour free of bitterness, boasting delicious taste and abundant nutrients.

Also known as white taro stalks, dried taro stems are rich in dietary fibre. High-fibre foods benefit human health by lowering cholesterol, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, diabetes and obesity. They maintain healthy intestinal activity, effectively relieve constipation and assist fat excretion, making them an ideal food for weight loss