Jilin's ginseng industry thrives with innovation and tradition

Northeast China's Jilin province, renowned for its prized Changbai Mountain ginseng, continues to lead China's ginseng industry.

Known as the "King of Herbs," this precious medicinal plant is steeped in tradition and cultural significance. The legendary practice of ginseng harvesting in Changbai Mountain is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, adding to the mystique of Jilin's ginseng.

In 2023, Jilin's ginseng industry saw remarkable growth. The province's cultivated ginseng area reached 145,000 mu (9,667 hectares), producing 34,000 metric tons of fresh ginseng. The wild under-forest ginseng area expanded to 1.17 million mu, yielding 781.8 tons. The industry's total output value surpassed 70.85 billion yuan ($9.94 billion), a 10.3-percent increase from the previous year.

Wangliang town in Fusong county, known as the "Hometown of Ginseng," showcases the diverse forms of ginseng products, from dried roots and honeyed slices to cosmetics and health supplements. The "Zhongcaoji (literally herbal collection)" brand has successfully integrated ginseng into cosmetics, adding value through innovation.

Jilin's ginseng industry thrives through a coordinated approach that combines traditional practices with cutting-edge technology, which extends the value chain and drives rapid development.