Enjoy the fragrance of chenpi in Xinhui, Jiangmen

"An ounce of chenpi rivals gold; century-old ones are worth even more."

In 2024, Xinhui produced approximately 9,000 tons of Xinhui chenpi (dried tangerine peels). The total output value of the full industrial chain exceeded 26.1 billion yuan, making Xinhui the most comprehensive, complete, and largest chenpi industry cluster in China.

The traditional processing techniques of Xinhui chenpi boast a history spanning over a hundred years. In 2021, the processing technique of Xinhui chenpi was included in the list of State-level intangible cultural heritage. From peeling and sun-drying to aging, the process of crafting Xinhui dried tangerine peels relies on the nourishment of nature and the dedication of skilled artisans, resulting in the famed "Xinhui chenpi," lauded as "century-aged peels, a millennium's ginseng" and "the soul of Cantonese cuisine."

"This is a gift from heaven to Xinhui people!" said Wu Guorong, Chairman of Jiangmen Xinhui Chenpi Village Market Co., Ltd. "The vitality of chenpi stems from its dual function as both food and medicine. Over more than 700 years of history, the preparation of Xinhui chenpi has absorbed rich details of everyday life, shaping a unique cultural heritage."

The former residence of Liang Qichao in Chakeng Village

Just a street away from Chenpi Village lies the hometown of Liang Qichao—Chakeng Village. With a long history of cultivating Xinhui oranges, Chakeng is a provincial-level "One Village, One Product" demonstration village specializing in the tea-branch mandarin. Within the village stands the old township office designed with the involvement of Liang Sicheng, while the lush "Birds' Paradise" described by the famous Chinese writer Ba Jin, teems with life.

Tourists taking photos at the old township office in Chakeng Village, co-designed by Liang Sicheng.

This ancient village, with a history of over a thousand years, is thriving under the model of "Chenpi + Cultural Tourism." Through a full-chain approach of "company + base + farmers + tourism," it now welcomes over five million visitors annually and has doubled the average income of local villagers.

Reporter / On-Camera / Script | Wang Fang

Script / Director | Bi Jiaqi

Photographer | Qiu Minye and Chen Wenxia

Video editor | Chen Wenxia, Ou Nanying

Editor | Wu Jiaxing (intern), Bai Xinyi (intern), Wei Shen, Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He

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