Yanyang

Geographical area
Yanyang (Meizhou) locates in the mountainous area of northern-east Guangdong province of China. This green town has a total area of 188 square kilometers with a population of 32000 people, consisting of 27 original Hakka villages and 2 communities. The forest coverage rate of Yanyang reaches 78.1%, with 14000 hectares land mainly growing evergreen broad-leaved plants, bamboo, and shrub. Especially, the forests of Subtropical monsoon evergreen broad-leaved plants are well preserved here.

History
The name "Yanyang" means Lake of Wild Goose, which can be traced back to the ancient times when the wild goose group chose to rest in its paddy fields. Now Yanyang has become a rest-place for people who want to get away from rushing city life and to take a deep breath of the fresh nature. The local residents are known as Hakkas (means guest family) with typical dialect and unique culture, whose ancestors were said to have migrated from central China thousands of years ago. The local Hakka folk songs and Han Opera that have been inherited by generations, are recognized as national intangible culture heritage.

Economy
Yanyang has plenty of water and forest resource. For the ecological development, it mostly yields from the fields of tea, pomelo, and etc. Ecological village tourism is also developed in recent years in the way that the cultural historic Hakka style architecture is properly maintained, and the natural scenery of the town is well protected.

Projects
Pomelo Flower Festival: The festival is held around March 20th till April 10th each year, when acres of eco-grown pomelo trees blooms. The whole mountain and villages are surrounded by the natural scent of pomelo-blossoms. It is also a fun Gala for both locals and tourists to embrace the spring.
Golden Pomelo Harvest: Yearly in November, the harvest of pomelos starts. It is the season for people to pick their own pomelos. Also the restaurants and private homes use pomelo to prepare food. From its peely skin to juicy fruit, the cooks make the most delicious cuisine with special recipes, pomelo salad, stewed pomelo skin with pork, soup with pomelo skin, and etc.
Tea Gala: A series of Tea Culture events are organized in December to carry forward the culture of Chinese tea that has five-thousand years history. People gather in the tea fields to enjoy the freshly made tea and refreshments, as well as the Hakka folk songs and dances in the magnificent landscape.

Traditional Recipes
A large number of organic foods are provided in Yanyang, with locally farmed natural meat or greens or fruits. Local wine, wich is known as Mother Wine, is also offered in nearly every restaurant and family in Yanyang.

Contacts:

Wang Hongji - Mayor of Meizhou city
mxyyzf_mzb@21cn.net

Wentao Zhang, Convener - Representatives Cittaslow
Phone: 86 (0)753 2181218
Email: gdmztsq@163.com

地理位置
梅州雁洋位于中国广东东北部连绵山区，这个绿色的城镇面积188平方公里，人口3.2万，有27个村和2个居委会。森林覆盖率为78.1%，主要种植了1.4万公顷的常绿阔叶林、竹林、灌木丛，有保存较好的中亚热带季风性常绿阔叶林。

历史文化
雁洋古时多为湖洋低洼水田，大雁常成群，聚居于此，故而得名。而如今雁洋则成了人们逃离快节奏城市生活、呼吸大自然清新空气的栖息地。当地客家人的祖先一千多年以前从中原地区迁徙到这里，一直延续着当地的方言和习俗。代代传承的客家山歌、广东汉剧被评为国家级非物质文化遗产。

经济
雁洋有着丰富的森林和水资源。为了保护生态，当地主要发展生态农业，种茶、柚子等等。生态乡村旅游也是近年来的发展方向，主要是为了更好地保留具有客家风格的历史文化建筑和保护雁洋镇自然风光。

作为慢城的代表性项目
柚花飘香节：每年大概3月20号至4月10日，千亩有机柚园开始开花，满山都弥漫着天然的柚花芬芳。当地组织生动有趣的嘉年华，吸引着人们与春天的大自然亲密拥抱。
金柚飘香节：11月金柚熟了，人们开始聚集到柚园采摘金柚。餐馆和当地家庭都会以柚子皮、柚子肉为食材准备可口的菜肴，有柚子沙拉、猪骨红焖柚子皮、柚子皮炖汤等等。
茶香节：每年12月，雁洋推出茶文化主题活动，传承及弘扬具有中华民族五千年历史的博大精深的茶文化，人们来到这里看茶田，品香茗、尝茶食、听茶歌、赏茶舞等茶文化系列活动。

传统食谱
在雁洋有各种各样的有机食品，无论是肉类、青菜、水果都是由当地农场产出。当地酿酒，也称为娘酒，几乎可以在任何一个餐馆或家庭里享用。

慢城联系人: 张文涛
电话: 86 (0)753 2181218
邮箱: gdmztsq@163.com
网址: www.gdmzwhlytsq.com（在梅州特色区网站上建立雁洋慢城专栏）