Author Profile

Name: Li Hualan
Position: Sales Representative, Sales Department I, Kinghelm Electronics
Hometown: Rong County, Guangxi
Aspirational Vision: Stay true to passion, fear no future, and become a better version of myself along the journey.

Li Hualan, Sales Representative, Sales Department I, Kinghelm Electronics

Pomelo Fragrance Around Ancient Pavilions — A Millennium Legend of an Imperial Tribute Fruit

Imperial Tribute “Shatian Pomelo” from Rong County, Yulin, Guangxi

Autumn in Rong County awakens with the sweet fragrance of Shatian pomelos. In the orchards of Ziliang Town, golden fruits hang heavily from the branches, their skins marked with natural brown speckles—signatures of old trees. Once peeled, the crystal-clear pulp is arranged like white jade. One bite releases a refreshing sweetness, juicy and lingering on the palate.

Shatian pomelo—known as one of “China’s finest fruits”—carries a story spanning centuries.

Legend has it that during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty, a scholar named Xia Jigang from Shatian Village returned to his hometown and devoted himself to cultivating a pomelo variety called “Yang’e Seed.” In the 45th year of Qianlong’s reign, during the emperor’s southern tour, Xia presented the fruit he had personally grown. Delighted, the emperor bestowed the name “Shatian Pomelo” and designated it as an imperial tribute. From then on, it was sent annually to the capital with grand ceremony.

This story is recorded in Rong County Annals and the Xia family genealogy, elevating the fruit from a regional specialty to a royal delicacy. Today, Rong County’s Shatian pomelo is a national geographical indication product. In the orchards, the humble story of Xia Jigang—“not seeking wealth or rank, but wishing only for the fragrance of pomelo each year”—is still passed down.

During the harvest season from October to December, visitors walk through the orchards with bamboo baskets, picking ripe fruits by hand and sharing in the sweetness passed down through generations.

Flavors of Fire and Culture — A Literary and Culinary Journey on the Tongue

If Shatian pomelo represents the sweetness of Rong County, then Hakka cuisine on the table reflects its deepest culinary identity. The local dishes lean toward savory flavors and emphasize the art of “stuffing.” Among them, stuffed tofu is the soul of the cuisine.

In local restaurants, fresh tofu is hollowed out and filled with finely minced pork, black fungus, and dried shrimp. It is pan-fried until golden on both sides, then slowly braised so the rich broth seeps into the tofu. One bite reveals tender meat and savory richness. Though simple in technique, the dish embodies the Hakka people’s wisdom of using local ingredients during migration and carries the warmth of neighborhood life—“one family cooking, the fragrance spreading to all.”

Another highlight of Rong County banquets—Xiushan Braised Pork—holds both literary elegance and mystical charm. Its origin traces back to the Northern Song Dynasty poet Su Shi. When exiled to Huizhou, he created the famous preserved vegetable braised pork. Later, while visiting Rong County and climbing Mount Duqiao to meet his Taoist friend Shao Yanfu, Su Shi refined the dish further during their discussions, perfecting the harmony between savory preserved vegetables and tender pork belly.

Mount Duqiao, known as one of the 36 sacred Taoist grotto-heavens, carries legends of immortals offering preserved vegetables during times of famine. Combined with Su Shi’s literary influence, the dish gained a unique aura of “celestial inspiration.” Today, after touring Mount Duqiao, visitors can enjoy a piece of this rich yet non-greasy braised pork at a local farmhouse restaurant, gazing at the Danxia landforms and recalling Su Shi’s poetic admiration.

Rong County’s cuisine also reflects the rhythm of the seasons. In spring, bitter bamboo shoots are stuffed with meat, offering a balance of bitterness and sweetness. In summer, herbal jelly with honey and mint refreshes and cools the body. In autumn, pomelo peel braised pork and stuffed pomelo incorporate the fruit’s fragrance into savory dishes. In winter, dog meat hotpot with fermented bean curd sauce warms both body and soul.

At the Xiujian morning market, delicacies abound—steamed rice cakes sprinkled with sesame and peanuts, cassava buns filled with shredded coconut, and red mushroom chicken soup with its rich crimson broth. By night, the Rongzhou ancient town market comes alive: sweet pomelo peel desserts cleanse the palate, while guava with chili salt offers a nostalgic street flavor beloved by locals.

For the Hakka People, Everything Can Be “Stuffed”

Landscapes and Time — Fireworks of Life and Poetry in an Ancient Town

The flavors of Rong County are inseparable from its natural surroundings. The Xiujian River flows through the town, Mount Duqiao rises with its striking Danxia formations, and the Zhenwu Pavilion—standing for over 450 years without a single nail—demonstrates architectural ingenuity akin to the craftsmanship seen in its cuisine.

This ancient town, once the seat of Rongzhou Prefecture, still preserves Tang and Song dynasty-style streets. When lanterns are lit at dusk, their reflections shimmer on stone paths and river waters. Elders sit by the roadside, recounting stories of Xia Jigang’s tribute pomelos and the legendary construction of the pavilion.

As a well-known hometown of overseas Chinese, Rong County’s flavors have traveled across the seas. Xiushan braised pork has reached global tables through diaspora networks, while pomelo tea and vacuum-packed smoked chicken carry the taste of home to those far away. Meanwhile, those who remain continue to preserve tradition—farmers tending century-old pomelo trees, chefs inheriting ancestral recipes, and vendors calling out seasonal snacks in morning markets.

Here, slow living is not just a concept—it is a bowl of rice noodle rolls infused with beef broth simmered for 12 hours, quiet conversations in pomelo orchards, and the aroma of food drifting through ancient streets at night.

A Corner of Zhenwu Pavilion in Rong County

Walking through the streets of Rong County, every step feels like stepping into a story, and every bite carries the taste of time. The sweetness of Shatian pomelo is both nature’s gift and a testament to craftsmanship. The savoriness of stuffed tofu reflects warmth and cultural heritage. The richness of Xiushan braised pork embodies literary elegance and spiritual charm.

Hidden deep in Lingnan, this ancient town connects history with the present through food and storytelling, warming both the palate and the soul. When the fragrance of pomelo once again fills the air, slow down, wander through the landscapes and everyday life, and discover the thousand-year-old flavors of Rong County. 

Kinghelm and Slkor — A Strong and Thriving Team