Local Specialties of Chaohu City

Chaohu City takes its name from Chaohu Lake within its territory. Adjacent to the Yangtze River, it serves as a vital aquatic product base in Anhui Province. Its premium aquatic produce supplies surrounding provinces and cities, and is also exported overseas. The Three Treasures of Chaohu Lake represent the lake’s top aquatic delicacies: tiny yet nutrient-rich Chaohu silver fish, white shrimp that retain their pale hue after cooking, and plump, savory Chaohu crabs. Dishes made with these fresh ingredients deliver pure, authentic flavors. Chaohu Stone, quarried near Chaohu Lake, ranks among China’s five famous garden stones.

In addition, other local specialties of Chaohu include Yipin Jade Ribbon Cakes, Wujiang Overlord Crisps, Hezhou Sesame Cakes and Lujiang Small Red Peanuts. Yipin Jade Ribbon Cake earned its name from Emperor Qianlong. Sweet, aromatic and soft-textured, it is an ideal gift for relatives and friends.

Manufactured primarily in Nicha Town, Wuwei City, Lanshen Jewelry’s core product lines feature pearls, jade, agate, crystal, platinum and diamonds under the "Lanshen" brand. Pearl jewelry and craft ornaments act as flagship products, crafted from locally farmed pearls sourced on-site with superior texture.

Also known as palace lanterns, Wuwei gauze lanterns boast a history of over 300 years and are counted among Anhui’s eight renowned regional specialties. Drawing on traditional festive lantern craftsmanship of successive dynasties—including bamboo framing, paper pasting and pigment dyeing—most lanterns adopt hexagonal or square silhouettes. Frames are carved from premium hardwoods such as red sandalwood, padauk, castanopsis and Chinese toon, and are fully foldable. Three-dimensional carved dragon heads and phoenix bodies adorn the outer frame edges, paired with scroll floral carvings in the center and elephant trunks or tiger horns at the lower section. Golden or crimson silk tassels hang from the base. With unique well-proportioned silhouettes, exquisite carving and sturdy mortise-and-tenon joints, the lanterns can be freely disassembled for easy storage and transport.

Originating from Xiang’an Town, Wuwei City, the flagship "Shumeng" product series covers a wide range of varieties: high-end computer-embroidered mats, dried rush mats, air-conditioner mats, sub-rush mats, children’s mats, smooth plain mats, hemp-warp mats, export tatami mats, embroidered mat pillows, pillow tubes, car seat cushions, beach mats, travel mats and travel hats.

Wuwei is one of China’s four major rush grass production bases. All raw materials for the "Shumeng" series are locally sourced, cutting production costs to offer affordable yet high-quality goods. The mats retain bright colors and natural freshness, featuring a smooth soft texture, strong sweat absorption and health benefits. They stay warm in winter and cool in summer while releasing a gentle natural fragrance, winning widespread popularity among consumers.

Also called Chaohu Taihu Stone, it is unearthed in soil around Yinping Mountain along the shores of Chaohu Lake. Formed from dissolved limestone within sedimentary rock, it carries a purpler tint compared with standard Taihu Stone. Its interior is crisscrossed by veins of calcite, and some specimens bear fossilized marine invertebrates such as coral. The stones are exquisitely hollowed with smooth, round perforations, varying drastically in size: large specimens can reach 5 meters long, 3 meters tall and weigh over 100 tons, while small ones weigh only several hundred grams, with countless stones weighing roughly 20 tons. Most formations resemble rolling mountain ranges, and a few take the shapes of human figures or animals.

Chaohu Stone is widely used to build grand rockeries, creating layered peaks and winding hollows with magnificent momentum. Tall, elegant single stones serve as standalone landscape features, while delicate small specimens make refined indoor table decorations.

Also known as red watermelon seeds, they are mainly produced in Juxing and Qingxi Towns of Hanshan County, one of China’s four core red melon seed production zones. Medium in size, the seeds feature deep crimson shells, plump meat and thin husks, splitting cleanly into three pieces when cracked open with a crisp fragrant taste, suitable raw or roasted. Two well-known local brands—"Chaohong" and "Juxing"—offer sweet, salty and original flavors. Nutritious and endlessly enjoyable, the seeds boost digestion and appetite, making them perfect for festivals, leisure time and gifting. They are available in all supermarkets and stores across the county.

Manufactured in Lujiang County, core varieties include Japanese takana, myoga, Japanese giant radish, Tokiwa cucumber, four-leaf cucumber, Chinese shallots and sword beans. The "Sanye" brand offers two major product lines with 46 varieties: Japanese-style light pickles and authentic Sichuan spicy pickles, favored by consumers nationwide.

Chaohu boasts abundant nectar plants. Every spring, rapeseed, milk vetch, pagoda tree blossoms, plus peach, plum, pear and apricot flowers bloom across the region, attracting migratory beekeepers to gather honey. Anhui Baichun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., based in Chaohu, leverages local honey resources to develop nutritional supplements and traditional Chinese medicine preparations including honey fructose, Baichun capsules and propolis toothpaste. This high-tech project is supported by Anhui’s science and intelligence research programs.

Lujiang County ranks among Anhui’s key tea-producing regions with a long tea cultivation heritage. The ancient text The Classic of Tea by Lu Yu of the Tang Dynasty already praised "fine tea from Lujiang", and tea trees over a century old still grow locally. Lujiang green tea falls into two main categories: crude green tea (bundle tea and orchid tea) and stir-fried green tea. Premium high-grade varieties include Baiyun Chunhao and Qianchun Xuefeng, grown on the summits of Ergujian, Baihua Stockade and Pingding Mountain near Tangchi and Ketan Towns