Zhaoqing Specialties
Zhaoqing is rich in products. Duan inkstone, Dinghushan Jiulong tripod, and crystal art are the "Three Wonders" of Zhaoqing's tourist handicrafts; Polygonum multiflorum, Huangfei tribute orange, Morinda citrifolia, Baozi, lotus root, Seven-star sword flower, honey, and Gorgon are the eight local specialties of Zhaoqing.
Duan Inkstone Duan Inkstone is the most famous of the four famous inkstones in China. Liu Yuxi, a great poet of the Tang Dynasty, famously said that "Duanzhou stone inkstones are the most important in the world." Strangely, the purple flowers spit out rainbow colors in the middle of the night." Duan Inkstone has been produced since the early Tang Dynasty and is famous for its solid, smooth, delicate and delicate stone quality. Duan inkstones are produced in the Lanke Mountain and Beiling Mountain areas, especially those from Laokeng, Mazikeng and Kengzaiyan are the best. The inkstones are mostly blue-purple, pig liver, or azure, with one or more wonderful patterns on them, such as fish brain jelly, banana leaf white, blue and white, rouge fire, azure, jade, gold and silver threads, water patterns, etc. stone pattern. Among the stone products, the stone eyes with "heavy green halo", "like pearls splitting open clams, like the sun in the sky" are the most precious.
The Duan Inkstone currently produced not only maintains the national and local characteristics of traditional craftsmanship, but also makes new breakthroughs in shape, composition, subject matter, and conception, creating an artistic conception beyond the practical value of Duan Inkstone.
Guangning Green Jade is found in the "Guangdong Green" in Guangning County, Guangdong Province. It is commonly known as "Guangzhou Green Stone", also known as "Guangzhou Green Jade". It is one of the five famous stones in China. It was a famous tribute in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.
There are many varieties of green jade in Guangning, with bright colors, including off-white, ox-shaped, light green, dark green, emerald green (called green), white with green (called jungle snow), yellow with middle Green (called yellow rose), yellow with red (called autumn scene), green with golden dots (called green sea star), white with green tea pattern (called blue sea and sky), etc. The cow character is slightly transparent and looks like "frozen", so it is called "Guangning frozen". Among them, emerald green, green sea Venus, white with green, and yellow with green are very rare. A gem among stones.
The "Study Curios Dictionary" written by Mr. Uno Yukimura, the authoritative authority on Japanese study books, said: "Guangdong green and Guangning green are highly praised in Japan." Japanese Shaolin Tokutaro wrote in "Supplementary Illustrated Stone Seal Materials": "Tianhuang, chicken blood stone, and Guangdong green are of the same grade among rare and precious stones."
Various handicrafts and seals carved from Grand Green Stone are exported to Europe, America, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and other countries and regions. They have become fine gifts, appreciation items and collectibles for relatives and friends. Becoming more and more popular.
The Kowloon Baoding Ding is a symbol of power and ancient culture. The Jiulong Baoding stands on a two-story granite platform in the center of Dinghu Mountain Baoding Garden and is made of bronze. The tripod is 6.68 meters high, 5.58 meters in diameter, and weighs 16 tons. The body of the tripod is cast with nine golden dragons, soaring into the clouds and riding on the mist, heralding another great development of the Chinese nation. The wide ears are decorated with 20 small dragons, which means that the tripod was cast at the end of the 20th century. The rough-lined band decorations, like mountains and flowing water, are endless, announcing to the world that the Chinese nation will reach its peak and prosperity in the new century. Baoding was designed by Professor Ma Chengyuan, a Chinese bronze expert, and supervised by Professor Tan Derui, a Chinese bronze casting expert. Baoding has obtained the Guinness World Record Certificate from Shanghai, and won the "Special Award" in the Guinness World's 10th Anniversary Review in 2003, ranking ninth among more than 1,500 award-winning works.
Dinghu Crystal Arts and Crafts Crystal arts and crafts are produced in various places, but most of them are keychains, pen holders, soap boxes, desk clocks, desk lamps, toothpick boxes, cotton swab boxes, mobile phone holders, etc. Now, relevant manufacturers in Dinghu District have designed and produced a batch of handicrafts that use crystal balls to represent Zhaoqing's tourist attractions: different crystal balls are embedded with innovative and beautiful Zhaoqing landmarks such as Wulong Pavilion, Qixingyan Archway, and Chongxi Tower. Architecture is both practical and ornamental.
Zhaoqing straw mat is a famous traditional handicraft and practical product in Zhaoqing. Production began in the Song Dynasty and has a history of more than 900 years. Zhaoqing straw mats began to be mass-produced in the middle of the Ming Dynasty and became an important sideline for local women. At that time, cattail grass, the raw material for weaving straw mats, was mainly produced in Lihu and wild ponds around Qixingyan. Today, the cattail used for weaving straw mats mainly comes from the Baitu and Jindu areas of Gaoyao City on the south bank of the Xijiang River. Cattail grass is slender, smooth and flexible, and has the reputation of "racing the dragon's beard". After the cattails are dried, they are selected, pounded, rinsed, dyed and then woven. Divided by function, there are sleeping mats, pillow mats, sofa seats and bag seats; divided by color and variety, there are white mats and flower mats. Zhaoqing's flower mats are brightly colored and come in many styles, with auspicious patterns such as butterflies, flowers and birds, chain buttons, two dragons competing for the pearl, two phoenixes facing the sun, and hearts in harmony, just like exquisite craft screens. Zhaoqing's straw mats are of the highest quality if they are fine and without weeds. Now, there are nearly 100,000 people engaged in straw mat weaving in Zhaoqing, and more than 1.7 million straw mats of various styles are woven every year.
Most of the Xingyan Plumeria trees grow on the soil, but the Xingyan Plumeria trees thrive on the cliffs of the seven rocks of Qixingyan. Plumeria tree is a deciduous tree of the Apocynaceae family. It blooms from May to August every year. The calyx is five-lobed, the corolla is like a bucket, the outside is white and light red, and the inside base is egg yellow. This is where the name Plumeria comes from. Xingyan Plumeria is particularly superior to Plumeria growing in the soil. It is flat and smooth, bright in color, with a rich fragrance and a muddy smell like Plumeria growing in the soil. It has remarkable effects in removing dampness, clearing heat and toxins, producing body fluids and quenching thirst.
Purple-backed Geranium, a specialty of Dinghu Mountain in Zhaoqing, also known as Danye and Xuezi, has long been famous both at home and abroad as a delicious summer refreshing drink. Purple-backed geranium belongs to the Begoniaceae family. It is a short grass plant that likes moisture and often climbs on dark and moist cliffs. It has no above-ground stems and only one basal leaf with hairy surface, dark green color and purple underside, hence the name Purple-backed Geranium. Dinghu Mountain Purple-backed Geranium is produced in Laoding Scenic Area of ??Yunxi, on the cliffs around Laolongtan, and the output is very small. Purple Geranium is brewed with boiling water. Its color is purple-red, its taste is slightly sour, and its fragrance is delicious. If you add a little sugar, the taste will be better. It can relieve summer heat, moisturize dryness and relieve cough, and it can also help digestion, strengthen the stomach, and relieve hangover. effect.
Dinghu Mountain Tea Cake is made from more than 20 kinds of Chinese herbal medicines, and is one of the secret recipes passed down from Qingyun Temple in Dinghu Mountain. It has the functions of relieving heat, producing body fluids and quenching thirst, appetizing and relieving stagnation, and can relieve mild colds. One of the famous specialties of Dinghu Mountain.
Zhaoqing Lotus Root Zhaoqing City, especially Xinghu Lake and its surrounding ponds and low-lying lands, has fertile soil, mild climate, and abundant rainfall, which is particularly suitable for the growth of lotus roots. Zhaoqing lotus root is stout, round, and thick-skinned. Its skin is light brown and its flesh is white, slightly sweet and crispy. Eaten raw, it is crispy and refreshing, delicious and sweet; eaten cooked, it is tender, fragrant, soft and soft; used to make sugar lotus root, which is sold all over Hong Kong and Macao for its crispy and refreshing taste, sweet but not greasy.
Zhao Shi According to legend, in the middle of the Ming Dynasty, a Taoist named Shao on Xianzhang Rock used Gorgon as medicine to treat children in nearby villages, and taught the villagers to widely introduce it. The child's illness was cured, and the introduced Gorgon fruit yielded a good harvest. The villagers didn't know what Gorgon Silk was, so they called it "Shao Silk" to thank Taoist Shao. Because "Shao" and "Zhao" have the same pronunciation, it was renamed Zhaoshi, which is still used today. The Gorgon produced in Zhaoqing has large particles and strong medicinal power, and has the effects of astringing, nourishing and strengthening. It is often used to stew meat, make soup, or be used as medicine. It can strengthen the spleen and stop diarrhea, strengthen the kidneys and remove dampness. It is a good nourishing product.
The Seven-Star Sword Flower is one of the specialties of Zhaoqing that is well-known at home and abroad. Because it is produced in Zhaoqing Qixing Rock, it is named the Seven-Star Sword Flower. Sword flower is a climbing plant, mostly rooted in the soil. However, the Seven-Star Sword Flower grows on the cliffs of Qixingyan with little water and soil. It spreads in all directions and climbs up section by section, so it is also weighed in the sky ruler. Seven-star sword flower has the functions of eliminating phlegm, fire and relieving cough. It is often used to make soup. It has a fragrant taste and sweet and smooth soup. It is a delicacy to accompany meals.
Deqing Morinda officinalis is a famous Deqing specialty both at home and abroad. Morinda officinalis, commonly known as Jichangfeng and scientific name Morinda officinalis, is one of the four major southern medicines. It has the effects of strengthening blood and qi, strengthening muscles and bones, dispelling rheumatism, nourishing and aphrodisiac. The growth period of Morinda citrifolia is long and it takes 7-8 years to harvest. The longer it is planted, the higher the yield and the better the quality. Morinda citrifolia is grown all over southern China, but its authentic origin is in Deqing, with an annual output of about 50,000 kilograms in the county. The Morinda jiji juice (wine) refined by Deqing Distillery is made from Morinda citrifolia and Polygonum multiflorum as the main raw materials, and is refined with more than 20 precious medicinal materials. It has a rich and mellow aroma, and has the effect of nourishing the liver and kidneys, strengthening the muscles and bones, and strengthening the essence. Efficacy: It mainly treats tuberculosis, internal injuries, waist and knee pain, muscle and bone fistula, frequent urination and dizziness.
Polygonum multiflorum, formerly known as Polygonum multiflorum, and its native name Nocturnal vine, is produced in various places in Lingnan, but the quality produced in Deqing County is the best. According to legend, during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, a prisoner named He in Deqing Prison secretly ate wild Polygonum multiflorum, and his hair turned from white to black, hence the name Polygonum multiflorum. The roots of Polygonum multiflorum are medicinal, warm in nature, sweet and astringent in taste. Raw Shouwu can moisten the large intestine, clear the stool, and detoxify sores; prepared Shouwu can nourish the liver and kidneys, replenish essence and blood, and long-term use can blacken beards and hair, and prolong life.
Huaiji bird's nest is produced in Yanyan, Qiaotou Town, Huaiji County, and is one of Huaiji's famous specialties. Huaiji Yanyan is a typical karst cave. Every year after the spring equinox, countless swiftlets fly from the island cliff caves in the South China Sea to build nests and reproduce. Huaiji bird's nest is rich in phosphorus, iron, calcium and protein. It has a sweet and light taste, nourishes lung yin, resolves phlegm and relieves cough. It is tonic and can clear the air. It is a holy medicine for treating weakness and tuberculosis. Bird's nests are divided into three categories: the first is the white official bird's nest, also known as the white bird's nest, which is made purely from saliva and is white and clean in color. It is the first nest built by the swiftlet; the second is the feather bird's nest, which is the second nest built by the swiftlet. The second nest was built because a lot of saliva was used in the first nest, so some down feathers had to be added in the second nest, which contained more impurities; the third was the blood swallow, which was built for the third time by the swiftlet. Because after building the nest twice, the saliva of the swiftlet has been almost exhausted and it can only build the nest with the blood it spits out. Among the three types of bird's nests, the official bird's nest has the best quality and the most nutrients. The bird's nests produced in Huaiji Yanyan are mainly official bird's nests. Huaiji Qiaotou Yanyan Winery selects golden bird's nests and pure authentic medicinal materials to refine golden bird's nest wine, which has the effect of nourishing qi and blood without drying out. It is exported to Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Southeast Asian countries.
Sihui tribute tangerines are produced in various towns and villages in Sihui City, especially those produced in Dasha, Shigou and Jianggu are the best. Since the early Ming Dynasty, Sihui tangerines have been selected as tribute to the emperor every year, so Sihui tangerines are also called tribute tangerines. There are seven varieties of Sihui tangerine: yellow tangerine, sweet tangerine, banana tangerine, milk tangerine, row tangerine, tea branch tangerine and red tangerine. They are all famous for their thin skin and juicy, thick flesh without residue, sweet and refreshing taste, and fresh and mellow taste. . Sihui Mandarin has the effects of relieving coughs and reducing phlegm, aiding digestion, and increasing appetite. The dried peel can be used as medicine and as an ingredient for cooking fish. Pharmacy master Li Shizhen once called Sihui tangerine "fish-frozen tangerine" and "the treasure among tangerines" in "Compendium of Materia Medica". Sihui tangerine, usually called Sihui tangerine, because tangerine and golden auspicious are homophonic, symbolizing good fortune and wealth.
During the Spring Festival, every household must have citrus fruits as gifts to each other, praying for a prosperous new year and good fortune.
Deqing’s “Huang Fei Brand” tribute tangerines were named after being listed as tribute to the imperial court in the past because of their excellent quality. Gonggan is a natural hybrid between tangerine and tangerine, and has the dual advantages of tangerine and tangerine. "Huangfei Brand" Tribute Mandarin has been awarded the title of "Chinese Famous Fruit" and the first domestic citrus product "China Productivity Scientific Achievement Award", and was rated as one of the "Top Ten Counties in China's Citrus Industry" by the China Fruit Tea Expert Committee .
Deqinggong tangerine has beautiful shape, golden color, thin skin and few cores, brittle flesh, sweet and fragrant honey, high sugar and low acidity, and rich flavor, making it difficult to imitate other citrus varieties. , known as the King of Citrus
Duan Inkstone: Duan Inkstone production began in the Tang Dynasty. Duan inkstone is produced in the Duanxi water area of ????Huke Mountain in Xijiang Antelope Gorge in the eastern suburbs of Duanzhou. Hence the name Duanxi Inkstone. It is called Duan Inkstone for short. Duan inkstone is famous at home and abroad for its fine, delicate, pure, dense and solid stone quality, smooth and silent grinding of ink, and no damage to the ink. The inkstones produced in Laokeng and Mazikeng are the best. The color of Duan inkstone is mainly "purple", among which the green end and the white end are the treasures of the inkstone. Stone flowers include blue and white, fish brain jelly, banana leaf white, fire-suppressed ice pattern, gold, silver wire, etc. The sound of stones is like the sound of knocking wood or the sound of mud. For the best inkstone, no matter whether it is summer, cold or rainy season, if you press your hand on the heart, the water vapor will not dissipate for a long time. Therefore, "breathing air and grinding ink" is a unique Duan inkstone, and it is worthy of being the first of the four famous inkstones in my country. The priceless old man's stone.
Zhaoqing Wrapped and Steamed: It is a custom for people to eat wrapped and steamed during festivals. One of the Zhaoqing steamed rice dumplings. Packed with special materials. Ordinary rice dumplings are mostly wrapped with mango leaves and have a twisted square shape, while Zhaoqing steamed rice dumplings are wrapped with unique local winter leaves and water plants, and are in the shape of an Egyptian pyramid, each weighing about 0.5 kilograms. The main ingredients are glutinous rice, undressed mung beans, and pork, or with mushrooms, sausages, salted eggs, etc. as fillings. It is cooked in a large vat with firewood for 7 to 8 hours and can be eaten. When eaten hot, it will be refreshing and tangy, and the mouth will loosen. Smooth and sweet.
Zhaoqing straw mats: Zhaoqing straw mats have been produced since the Song Dynasty. It is one of Zhaoqing’s traditional specialties. By the Ming Dynasty, it had reached large-scale production and was a family handicraft product, mainly hand-knitted by women in every household. The raw material of the woven straw mat is the grass grown in the local area. The grass grown in Baitu and Jindu in Gaoyao is the best. It has the characteristics of thin, long and tough. Zhaoqing straw mats are famous for their bright color, soft texture, beautiful weaving, insect-proof, warm in winter and cool in summer.
Zhaoshi: "Zhaoshi" is sold in almost all grocery stores on the streets of cities and towns in Guangdong. Traditional Chinese medicine often uses it when prescribing medicines. Overseas Chinese and compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao often use it when they return home to visit relatives or travel. People from all over the world are looking for this product to take away. Why is "Zhao Shi" so popular? This is inseparable from its purpose. The fruit is the fruit of Gorgon, which is used to make soup or as a traditional Chinese medicine. It has the effects of clearing away heat and removing dampness, nourishing yin, nourishing the kidneys and strengthening the spleen. Zhaoshi is the best variety among Cishui.
Sword Flower: Wandering Star Rock in midsummer, when I looked up at the rock wall, I saw a plant that looked like a whip and was dark green in color. It climbed along the rock wall and bloomed on its body like a silver cup. This plant is commonly known as sword flower, also known as Overlord's whip and Zhitian ruler. Sword flowers can be seen everywhere in rural areas of Guangdong. They either grow on cliffs or on ruins. Sword flower is a soup ingredient that people in Guangdong use for daily soup. It is in high demand, especially in summer. Sword flower pork bone soup is available in restaurants and restaurants because this soup has the effect of clearing away heat and moisturizing the lungs. Due to the vast market for sword flowers, many farmers grow sword flowers all over their walls for sale. But the most famous Guangdong Sword Flower is the "Seven Star Sword Flower" produced in Qixing Rock, Zhaoqing. The reason why it is famous is not only because it grows in the famous scenic spot, but more importantly, the Seven Star Sword Flower sucks the clear spring in the rock, and the flowers bloom fragrantly. Eaten, it tastes sweet.
Frangipani: Plumeria, whose scientific name is Bedoro, is native to the tropical regions of India and is a perennial oleander plant. Before 1778 AD, there are records of the cultivation of egg flowers in historical records. According to this calculation, it has been hundreds of years since the egg flowers were settled in China. Some people have also done research and found that egg flowers were first planted in Zhaoqing in the late Qing Dynasty. This flower is brightly colored and looks like egg yolk, so it is also called plumeria and egg yolk flower. Guangdong is located in the subtropical zone, with long summers and short days in winter, which is very suitable for the growth of plumeria. Therefore, plumeria is planted in urban and rural areas of Guangdong to green and beautify gardens. In addition to being used as a garden ornamental, the most important function of egg flowers is to make tea. Egg flowers are yellow and lavender in color, have a fleshy feel, are elegant and simple, and are very cute. Just pick the egg flowers from the tree and soak them in boiling water to drink them for a fragrant and smooth drink. Dried frangipani can be brewed into an excellent tea. We visited Yuping Rock and Tianzhu Rock. Frangipani trees can be seen everywhere. Some of them are as thick as two arms, with old trunks and lush flowers and leaves. They are almost a century old. The reason why Zhaoqing’s egg drop is famous is because the egg drop tree that grows in Xingyan draws water from a mountain spring. Therefore, the tea made from the drop of egg drop produced in Xingyan is particularly refreshing. This is also the reason why it is famous.
Purple-backed Geranium: If Zhaoqing’s Plumeria and Sword Flower are famous for their superior quality compared with similar species, then Zhaoqing’s Purple-backed Geranium is unique because of its rarity. Purple-backed geranium grows on the cliffs of Ding Lake. It is dried and made into tea. Its color is light red, its taste is sour, and it is fragrant and delicious. It has the functions of relieving summer heat, helping digestion, strengthening the spleen, and relieving hangover. In the 1960s, Guo Moruo inspected Zhaoqing, visited Ding Lake, drank purple-backed geranium tea, and wrote a poem: "Guests come without tea or wine, but have a full cup of purple-backed geranium."
Deqing Shouwu: Shouwu is also known as Polygonum multiflorum, and its discovery is very legendary.
It is said that during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, there were successive natural disasters and famines in Deqing. An old man named He was imprisoned in prison for many days without food. The famine was unbearable and he was dying. He took the leaves of the vine on the wall to quench his thirst and the roots of the vines to satisfy his hunger. Later, He also dug up some roots that looked like human figures and ate them. Day after day, old man He not only survived, but also became healthier and healthier. His white hair also miraculously turned black, rejuvenating him. The jailer was so surprised that people rushed to tell the news. The old man was released from prison for discovering a new drug. This rhizome can also turn hair from white to black, so it is named "Polygonum multiflorum".
Huaiji bamboo: Huaiji County is a key forest-producing area in Guangdong Province, and the bamboo in Aozai Town is even more famous throughout the world. There, bamboo grows all over the hills, densely packed and continuous. Li bamboo has the characteristics of straight rod shape, tough material, uniform thickness, moderate node length, strong resilience and resistance to insects, so it is also called "steel bamboo". Huaijili bamboo is an excellent material for making fishing rods, ski poles, high-end furniture and carving handicrafts. It is exported to more than 40 countries in Europe, the United States, Australia and so on.