Lijiang Snow Peach

Lijiang Snow Peach is cultivated in the pristine plateau regions of Lijiang (丽江), at altitudes of 2,500 – 3,000 meters. This area is one of the closest modern maritime glaciers to the equator in the Northern Hemisphere. Surrounded by 118 snow-capped mountains over 5,000 meters high, and accompanied by rare species such as yew trees, cordyceps, swans, and black-necked cranes, the snow peach enjoys a unique ecological environment. The region is also home to virgin forests and numerous glacial lakes, which together form a perfect ecological barrier for the growth of the snow peach.

The history of Lijiang Snow Peach dates back almost as far as the history of the Naxi people. In Naxi tradition, the snow peach holds great significance. It is widely believed that planting snow peaches can bring health and longevity to the elderly, with the saying “Snow peach in mouth, live to ninety without doubt.” According to the Dongba scriptures passed down by ancestors, the blooming of snow peaches marks the beginning of the grand Sky Worship Ceremony, while the late autumn harvest of snow peaches coincides with the Wind Worship Ceremony. The snow peach thus serves as a symbol of the Naxi people’s connection to their ancestors.

In 2000, Mr. Li Yong, chairman of Kunming Xinzhixi Group, tasted this unique peach during a trip to Lijiang and, impressed by its exceptional flavor, suggested naming it “Lijiang Snow Peach,” thus beginning its journey towards brand development. In October 2006, Lijiang Snow Peach made its debut in Beijing at the China International Agricultural Products Fair, where it was met with a buying frenzy. In 2007, it received national green food certification and was presented as a rare fruit at the 17th National Congress. In 2008, it obtained organic food conversion certification and, due to its superior quality, was sold at a high price of 1,000 yuan per fruit, with demand far exceeding supply. Since 2009, Lijiang Snow Peach has been a regular feature on the tables of state banquets, earning widespread acclaim.

Lijiang Snow Peach stands out for its late maturation period, with a fruit development cycle of approximately 200 days, usually ripening and hitting the market around the National Day holiday. The fruit is large, with an average weight of about 500 grams per fruit, and some of the largest fruits are truly impressive. The peach has an attractive, regular shape with bright, alternating red and yellow colors. Its texture is crisp and juicy, with a rich peach flavor and excellent palatability. The water-soluble solid content can reach around 14%, and it contains 15 of the 20 essential amino acids required by the human body (excluding threonine and cysteine). It is also rich in trace elements and minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper, and phosphorus. Throughout the cultivation process, the peaches adhere to green food standards, with no chemical fertilizers or pesticides used on the trees, making the product environmentally friendly, safe, and pollution-free, truly a premium fruit.

The planting area for Lijiang Snow Peach is approximately 3,000 – 4,000 acres. According to experts, each acre typically has 55 – 60 trees, with each tree producing 30 – 40 fruits, mostly weighing around one jin (half a kilogram). The orchards use manual weeding, and no chemicals are used from flowering to maturation, ensuring consumer confidence in the product’s safety. Despite the long growth cycle, the harvest period is very short, lasting only about 40 days. This means that the window to enjoy fresh Lijiang Snow Peaches is only about one month each year, making them even more precious. Once transplanted outside of Lijiang, the snow peach loses its distinctive aroma and color. It can only thrive in the specific regions around the Three Parallel Rivers, at altitudes of around 2,400 meters, where it undergoes a 210-day growth period under natural and pollution-free conditions, nurtured by winter frozen soil, meltwater from the Yulong Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山), 12 hours of abundant sunlight in Lijiang’s summer, and an average annual temperature of 20°C. The peach retains the traditional health benefits of peaches, such as tonifying the spleen and lung, nourishing yin, and moistening the intestines, making it an ideal fruit that combines deliciousness and health benefits.

With its unique growing environment, rich cultural heritage, exceptional product quality, and non-replicable characteristics, Lijiang Snow Peach has become an outstanding representative of Lijiang’s specialty agricultural products. It is highly favored and sought after by consumers. Whether as a gift for friends and family or to satisfy one’s own desire for high-quality fruit, Lijiang Snow Peach is undoubtedly an excellent choice.