“Dianwei” means the taste of Yunnan, consisting of two Chinese characters. “Dian,” a clan name in ancient China, was the abbreviation of Yunnan province, and "Wei" means taste in Chinese. You can “taste” Yunnan by its food, landscape, and everything related to Yunnan.

When traveling in Yunnan, you will be amazed by its unique ethnic culture and beautiful scenery. Although you cannot take them with you, you can bring some Yunnan souvenirs back.

What souvenirs can represent Yunnan?

Food

Flower cakes

Yunnan is renowned as a “Flora Kingdom” and “Natural Garden.” Yunnan people have the custom of eating flowers and using flowers as medicine, so flower cakes are a popular dessert in Yunnan.

Flower cakes have Yunnan edible roses inside. Those fillings are a mixture of fresh rose petals, honey, and butter. After baking, the cake tastes crispy and delicious, suitable for all ages.

Fruits of Yunnan

Mengzi Pomegranates

Mengzi city has a 700 years’ history of planting pomegranates. Mengzi was also awarded the honorary title of “Hometown of Pomegranate in China.” Pomegranates from Mengzi city are sweet and juicy with thinner peels. Also, pomegranates in China imply the wealthy and lucky.

Zhaotong Apples

The history of planting apples in Zhaotong city dates back to 1940. Zhaotong was defined as one of the most suitable areas in China for growing apples, according to the Institute of Fruit Trees, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Situated in the north of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Zhaotong has a high altitude, large temperature difference, and intense ultraviolet, which are fundamental conditions for producing sweet, succulent, and high-quality apples rich in selenium. In China, apples symbolize a good harvest and a joyful life.

Lijiang Snow Peaches

Lijiang snow peaches come from Lijiang city, called “Noble peaches” or “sacred peaches,” containing 15 of the 17 essential amino acids for the human body.

These peaches are cultivated with waters from the snow mountain and sunlight from high altitude, so they are bright red and tasty.

Xuanwei Ham

After Xuanwei prefecture was established in 1727, this special ham was named Xuanswei ham.

Pig hind legs are cut into the shape of Pipa, and after washing and preserved in salt, they will be left to natural fermentation for half a year. Xuanwei hams smell good and taste fresh, crispy, and tender, full of nutrition.

Baoshan Coffea arabica

The high quality of Baoshan Arabica coffee is due to the influence of Gaoligong Mountain, which belongs to a climate type of dry, hot valley. The distinct dry and wet seasons, no severe cold in winter, scorching heat in summer, and huge temperature difference between day and night make Arabica coffee in Baoshan high in protein, crude fiber, crude fat, sucrose, and low in caffeine.

Baoshan Arabica coffee is one of the best quality coffee in China and worldwide. In 2010, it was listed on National Geographic Indication product protection.

Pu'er Tea

Drinking Pu'er tea is a must if you go to Yunnan. Yunnan has a long history of tea production, and it is recognized as the origin of tea in the world and a crucial tea production base in China. Apart from its history, the essence of Pu'er tea also lies in the skills of making tea from generates. In 2008, the production technique of Pu'er Tea (Gongcha) was rated as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Wenshan Panax Notoginseng

Panax notoginseng from Wenshan is a famous and precious Chinese herbal medicine at home and abroad with extremely high nutritional value and medicinal value.

Wenshan Prefecture has become the origin and main producing area of Panax notoginseng due to its unique soil and climate environment with a history of over 400 years. Wenshan is regarded as the "Hometown of Panax Notoginseng in China."

Dendrobium

Dendrobium is a precious herbal medicine in China. It can be used as medicine and be made into delicious food. This nutritious and delicious “new table dish” is favored by people. 

Longling county in Baoshan city as the “Hometown of Dendrobium candidum in China,” has 42 types out of 46 in Yunnan province. The most with the broadest distribution, the highest value, and the best quality is dendrobium candidum.

Handicrafts

Gejiu Banxi

Gejiu city abounds in a metal tin. It is the birthplace of China's tin industry and is known as the “tin city” globally with 2000 years’ history of tin mining. 

Banxi is a unique tin technique, a physical conversion process of the surface of high purity tin. After specific treatment, the tinware surface will be recrystallized to display various black, white, and gray effects, so tin wares look bright and glistening.

Huize Bantong

Bantong, as the unique folk handicraft in Huize County, Qujing city, has a history of more than 300 years. Bantong uses natural bronze from Huize and is formed by cold forging. As bronze contains a tiny portion of gold or silver, Bantong will have red, golden, or tan spots. After polishing, it will shine on the surface. 

Heqing Silverware

After hundreds of years of heritage, Heqing silverware forging technique combines traditional Chinese methods with Miao and Tibetan ethnic group techniques and forms its style.

There are a variety of types of Heqing liveware, such as wine set, tea set, and silver jewelry, and so forth. The motifs are mainly traditional patterns, animals in the Chinese Zodiac, and other ethnic, cultural patterns.

Jianchuan wood carving

As the "Hometown of carpenters," Jianchuan has a long history of wood carving, which could be traced back to 5300 years ago. Carpenters in Jianchuan county are skillful at carving all kinds of patterns, like people, birds, flowers, and mountains. They are especially well-known for the marble inlaid wood carving furniture technique. In 2011, Jianchuan wood carving was listed on the third batch of national intangible cultural heritage protection list. 

Jianshui Purple Pottery

Around 3500 years ago, Jianshui county began making pottery. Jianshui purple pottery uses the soil from sacred Wuse Mountain. A handmade purple pottery teapot requires several months with both efforts from artisans and artists as it will be carved with delicate paintings on it. 

Baoshan Yongzi

Yongzi produced in Baoshan city is a go chess piece made of ore raw materials like red agate, yellow jade, and amber with secret formula and unique smelting technology. Yongzi looks clear and pretty and is recognized as a high-quality chess product.

Yongren Yi embroidery

Yi embroidery in Yongren county is viewed as “Art of fingertip” and “Flowers of soul.” The technique is sophisticated and unique with exquisite composites and bright colors. 

The motifs can be mountains and lakes, people, flowers and fish, or all kinds of abstract geometric patterns with good meanings.

Dali Zharan

A thousand years ago, Dali Bai ethnic people had mastered the printing and dyeing technique. Zharan is one of these techniques, but it is unique, with tying and dip dyeing as the two main procedures.

Welcome to Yunnan to experience the glamour of Dali Zharan by buying a Zharan scarf or a notebook.

After introducing so many souvenirs in Yunnan above, you must have known the taste of Yunnan. Please remember to bring one souvenir with “Dianwei” home next time you visit Yunnan.

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(Editors: Ines, Amy)