Ten thousand Mu Mango Garden in Yongde County, Lincang
Overview
In mid-June, the air is filled with the sweet fragrance of mangoes. As the 2023 Yongde Mango Festival approaches, the 50,000 mu (approximately 3,333 hectares) of mango orchards in Yongde County (永德县, Yǒngdé Xiàn), Lincang City (临沧市, Líncāng Shì), Yunnan Province (云南省, Yúnnán Shěng), are gradually reaching maturity. Farmers and merchants are busy preparing for the festival, and this year’s mango yield is expected to reach 48,000 tons, with a market value of 320 million yuan.
Mango Harvest Season
As the mangoes mature, Yongde County is bustling with harvest activity. In Mengdi Village (勐底村, Mèngdǐ Cūn), located in Yongkang Town (永康镇, Yǒngkāng Zhèn), farmer Li Zaiping (李再培, Lǐ Zàipéi) is leading a team of nine workers in his mango plantation. Local mango buyers have arrived to inspect the fruits and finalize purchases. Li Zaiping reports that after improving the mango varieties, his 200 mu (approximately 13.3 hectares) of land now yields about 300 tons of mangoes annually, generating around 1 million yuan in income.
Busy Mango Purchasing Stations
At the mango purchasing station in Mengdi Village, activities include fruit selection, weighing, packing, and transportation. Buyer Li Xiancheng (李先成, Lǐ Xiānchéng) discusses the quality characteristics of this year’s mango crop with merchants from other regions. He has been buying mangoes for six years and sources fruits from surrounding towns, primarily exporting to Zhejiang (浙江, Zhèjiāng), Guangdong (广东, Guǎngdōng), Sichuan (四川, Sìchuān), and Beijing (北京, Běijīng). The main mango varieties available this year include Yexiang (椰香, Yēxiāng), Dajinhua (大金煌, Dàjīnhuáng), Xiao’ao (小澳, Xiǎo’ào), and Hongguifei (红贵妃, Hóngguìfēi), with expectations to purchase over 1,000 tons.
Mango Production Areas
Yongkang Town and the Mengdi Farm Management Committee are major production areas for mangoes and lychees in Yongde County. The vast orchards filled with mangoes and lychees emit a delightful fragrance, painting a picture of bountiful harvest. Known for their high quality and excellent taste, Yongde mangoes are favored by consumers nationwide. Merchants from various places are busy selecting and ordering fruits, with some, like Sichuan Panzhihua (四川攀枝花, Sìchuān Pānzhīhuā) buyer Fu Yan (付艳, Fù Yàn), visiting Yongde frequently to purchase mangoes. She personally visits the plantations to select the best varieties and signs orders with farmers, making more than ten trips each year.
Mango King Competition
In 2024, the Yongde Mango Cultural Tourism Festival (永德芒果节, Yǒngdé Mángguǒ Jié) will feature the “Mango King” competition and fun eating contests, attracting numerous visitors. At the competition site, large mangoes are displayed, and Li Jianhua (李建华, Lǐ Jiànhuá) from Mengdi Farm showcased his Jinhuang variety, weighing 2.895 kilograms, earning him the title of “Mango King” for the seventh consecutive year. During the event, farmers exchanged growing tips and showcased the superior quality of their mangoes.
Ideal Growing Conditions
Yongde County enjoys a mild climate with ample sunshine, ideal for mango cultivation. Currently, the mango planting area exceeds 50,000 mu, with an estimated production of nearly 50,000 tons and a value exceeding 300 million yuan in 2024. The county leverages its mango industry advantages, utilizing government support, enterprise initiatives, and broad industry participation to promote Yongde’s rich mango cultivation history and the associated mango culture. The 2024 festival, running from July 5 to July 22, aims to highlight the synergy between mangoes, culture, music, and commerce, enhancing the local economy and promoting the “Fruit-Scented Yongde” brand.
How to Get There
To reach Yongde County:
- By Air: Fly to Lincang Airport (临沧机场, Líncāng Jīchǎng) and take a taxi or local bus to Yongde County.
- By Bus: Long-distance buses connect major cities like Kunming (昆明, Kūnmíng) to Yongde County.
- By Car: Drive from Lincang or Kunming to Yongde County via local roads.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: The mango harvest season in June and July is ideal for experiencing the festival and tasting fresh mangoes.
- Stay Hydrated: Bring plenty of water, especially if visiting during the warmer months.
- Local Delicacies: Don’t miss trying local mango dishes and snacks during your visit.
- Photography: The vibrant mango orchards provide excellent photo opportunities; consider visiting at sunrise or sunset for the best light.
- Respect Local Customs: Engage with local farmers and merchants, and appreciate their hard work in producing this delicious fruit.
