Visitors from outside Zhongshan flock to the city, driven solely by the desire to taste the authentic Shiqi Pigeon. At the entrances of Zhongshan's restaurants, tourists from afar eagerly await their turn to savor this culinary delight.
In the Shiqi-Pigeon Village in Baishi Village, Sanxiang Town, the number of pigeons produced this year has surged. As of October, nearly 1.6 million pigeons have been sold, exceeding last year's annual sales of 1.4 million. It is expected that this year's sales will exceed 2 million.
Zhongshan's Shiqi Pigeon, renowned both domestically and internationally, is a hybrid breed resulting from the crossing of superior foreign pigeon varieties introduced by Zhongshan's overseas Chinese with local Zhongshan pigeon varieties. Named "Shiqi Pigeon" due to its origin in the Shiqi area, it boasts a history of over a hundred years and has obtained the National Agricultural Product Geographic Indication Certification.
Each breeding pigeon lays about two eggs per month. After incubation, it takes approximately 18 days for the eggs to hatch into squabs. These squabs then grow into the commonly consumed "teenage pigeons" in about 15 days. If they are fed for an additional 10-plus days, they become medium-sized pigeons, requiring a cycle of over 40 days and are best suited for slow cooking with aged flower liquor. Older pigeons are perfect for making pigeon soup or pigeon porridge.
To cater to the new demands of economic development, multiple prefabricated Shiqi Pigeon products have been launched, utilizing liquid nitrogen quick-freezing technology to minimize nutritional loss and retain color, aroma, and juices. These products also meet the requirements for long-distance transportation and storage, with a shelf life of up to six months.
Currently, the annual sales of prefabricated Shiqi Pigeon products are around 100,000 birds. Besides being sold in Hong Kong, Macao, Shandong, Heilongjiang, Xinjiang, and more than 20 other provinces, regions, and municipalities, they are also exhibited and sold at various tourist attractions in Zhongshan, allowing visitors to learn about Zhongshan's culinary offerings while traveling.
Tourism projects have not only expanded the brand influence of Shiqi Pigeon but also boosted its sales. ZSFCO Happy Farm, in collaboration with Cantonese chefs, has created a Shiqi Pigeon-themed restaurant where most of the edible agricultural products are self-raised or self-grown.
After enjoying fresh pigeons, tourists often purchase prefabricated pigeons, pigeon eggs, and farm vegetables. The restaurant has sold over 800 prefabricated pigeons in a single day at its peak.
Author | Jiang Chang
Photo | Guangdong Fabu
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
