At a press conference held on October 8th for the 16th China Jiangbei Water City · Two Rivers Pearl (Liaocheng) Gourd Culture and Arts Festival, Xue Zhaoli, Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of the Liaocheng Municipal Party Committee, shared some exciting news: “We are committed to deepening the integration of canal cuisine with gourd-themed banquets, enhancing what the gourd cultural festival has to offer.” This year’s festival will showcase the development, promotion, tasting, and display of canal gourd cultural cuisine.
Gourds have a profound cultural significance in China, symbolizing good fortune thanks to their unique shapes and the associated meanings of prosperity and happiness. Xue emphasized that the gourd industry stands out as one of Liaocheng’s representative sectors, covering more than 30,000 acres, commanding 75% of the national market share, and generating an annual comprehensive benefit of 1.6 billion yuan.
Highlighting the artistry involved, Xue pointed out that the Dongchang gourd carving technique has a rich history of over 500 years and has been designated as a “national intangible cultural heritage.” The Dongchangfu District is recognized as the largest hub for gourd trade in the country, earning it the title of “Hometown of Gourd Carving Culture and Arts in China.”
Liu Jiqiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Dongchangfu District Committee and Vice District Mayor, elaborated on the craftsmanship involved. “Gourd artisans use techniques like bending, tying, and shaping during the gourd’s growth to create artistic items such as teapots, snuff bottles, and decorative lamps. These pieces not only enrich the cultural significance of gourds but also enhance their market value.” He also noted that artisans are blending gourd craftsmanship with local techniques, like paper cutting and dough modeling, allowing for the creation of both functional and artistic items, thereby evolving the gourd industry from traditional craftsmanship to a focus on cultural creativity.
Liu further highlighted that in recent years, the Dongchangfu District has prioritized the protection, inheritance, and innovation of gourd carving, bringing attention to gourd culture. A high-quality Gourd Culture Park has been developed, focusing on immersive experiences that integrate regional culture, culinary elements, and local accommodations. The park aims to become a unique destination for rural customs and leisure tourism. The district has also unveiled tourism routes such as “Fortune and Prosperity Dongchangfu: Gourd Culture Tour” and “Cultural Depth Dongchangfu: Intangible Heritage Inheritance Tour,” allowing visitors to explore gourd planting and processing facilities, and shifting the industry’s growth from a quantity-driven model to one focused on quality.
According to Hu Ruiheng, a member of the Dongchangfu District Government Party Group and Vice District Mayor, a specialized cooperative has been established to ensure a cohesive operation across the gourd supply chain. Currently, Dongchangfu boasts over 4,500 gourd growers and more than 1,500 processing businesses, cultivating over 30 varieties of gourds across 13,000 acres, with growing bases set in Xinjiang, Shaanxi, and Shanxi.
Hu pointed out the district’s active engagement with the rapid development of the internet and e-commerce. “There are over 2,000 gourd e-commerce operators in the area, broadening customer bases and sales channels.” Tangle Village in Tangyi Town, known as “China’s First Gourd Village,” has adopted an “Internet + E-commerce” model, with every household engaged in gourd cultivation and online sales. The village hosts over 300 online stores on platforms such as Taobao, Douyin, and Kuaishou, achieving annual sales of 7 million crafted gourds, with significant markets in Japan, South Korea, the United States, and Southeast Asia.
“Every year from September to October, numerous merchants from other regions come to Dongchangfu to purchase gourd products directly from our markets and production bases,” Hu commented. The district is leveraging its rich resources to innovate its gourd planting, processing, and sales models, driving a transformation in the traditional gourd industry. They aim to strengthen integrated production and sales mechanisms, shaping a green, circular, full industrial chain that encompasses “seed research and development – gourd cultivation – gourd cultural and creative processing – all-ecological tourism.” This initiative seeks to boost the economic potential of the gourd industry while empowering rural revitalization.
The 16th China Jiangbei Water City · Two Rivers Pearl (Liaocheng) Gourd Culture and Arts Festival is scheduled for October 12 to 14. This year’s festival will embrace the theme “Discover the Extraordinary Gourd” and will feature a variety of activities including a National Gourd Exhibition, a Gourd Craft Competition, a Gourd Culture Innovative Design Contest, a Planting Skills Contest, discussions on high-quality industry development, and showcases of canal gourd cultural banquets.
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