The local specialties of Zhaotong include Zhaotong tartary buckwheat, Yanjin black-bone chicken, and Zhaotong apples.

1. Zhaotong Tartary Buckwheat

Zhaotong Tartary Buckwheat is a specialty product of Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, and a national geographical indication of agricultural products.

Zhaotong tartary buckwheat has a compact plant shape, with a plant height of 85 to 124 cm, green and red stems, and yellow-green flowers; the seeds are cone-shaped oval achenes, with three ribs and three grooves on the fruit, and the edges are rounded and blunt. The peel is rough and thick, and the color of the peel appears black, brown, gray, etc. depending on the variety.

On February 10, 2015, the Ministry of Agriculture of the former People’s Republic of China approved the implementation of national agricultural product geographical indication registration protection for “Zhaotong Tartary Buckwheat”.

2. Yanjin Silky Chicken

Yanjin Silky Chicken is a specialty of Yanjin County, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, and a national geographical indication of agricultural products.

Yanjin Silky Chicken is larger in size, nearly square, with an upturned head and tail, compact feathers, a solid body, well-proportioned body structure, well-developed muscles, an upright single comb, and a fine texture, with a crown peak of 5- 7. The distinctive characteristics of black skin, black meat, black bones and internal organs are all black. Most of the feathers are black, accounting for more than 80%. They are suitable for ecological feeding methods of natural stocking and artificial supplementary feeding. The meat is tender, unique in flavor and rich in nutrients.

On February 10, 2015, the Ministry of Agriculture of the former People’s Republic of China approved the implementation of national agricultural product geographical indication registration protection for “Yanjin Silky Chicken”.

3. Zhaotong Apple

Zhaotong Apple is a specialty product of Zhaoyang District, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, and a national geographical indication of agricultural products. ?

The main varieties of Zhaotong apples include Jinshuai, Red Fuji, etc. The domesticated Fuji series apples grown in Zhaoyang District have high yields, good taste, storage resistance, high sugar content, and good flavor. They have gradually replaced the original varieties in Zhaotong and contain esters, alcohols, heterocycles, ketones, benzene derivatives, etc. There are 113 kinds of aromatic compounds in 9 categories, which have the characteristics of early maturity, good sweetness, strong fragrance and crisp taste.

On November 15, 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China approved the implementation of agricultural product geographical indication registration protection for "Zhaotong Apple".