The Chinese chestnut groves in Chejiao Village in Jiancheng Town, Yunan County, Yunfu have entered peak harvest season, with the prized nuts expected to hit the market around the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Villagers are busy knocking down spiky chestnut burrs from the trees with long bamboo poles before gathering the fallen burrs with specialized tools, filling the lush groves with the bustle of harvest.
Chejiao Chinese chestnuts, a local specialty with centuries of history, are renowned for their small size, thin reddish-brown shells that peel easily, and creamy-yellow kernels with a sweet, glutinous texture. They are known as the "Oriental Pearl" and "Purple Jade".
Jiancheng Town boasts approximately 333.3 hectares of Chinese chestnut plantations, of which 193.3 hectares are located in Chejiao Village, the region's primary production area.
Renowned for their distinctive floury texture, aromatic flavor, and sweetness, the chestnuts have garnered a loyal following. Farmgate prices start at 32 yuan per kilogram, as strong demand continues to exceed supply. In addition to local sales, growers have embraced livestream e-commerce and direct express delivery, shipping fresh chestnuts to major cities in the Pearl River Delta. Many tourists also travel to the village to see its century-old mother chestnut trees and purchase freshly harvested nuts on-site.
Author | Jiang Chang
Photos | Nanfang Plus
