China’s most famous wine region? That’s Huailai County. This county is in the northwestern Hebei province. It falls under the administration of Zhangjiakou.
Huailai County stands as a testament to Chinese ingenuity. It showcases agricultural prowess. The China Great Wall Wine Company has its headquarters here in Shacheng town.
Huailai County covers 1,793 square kilometers. It is home to around 367,000 residents. They live here as of June 2019. The county borders Yanqing. This is a district of Beijing to the east. Shacheng is its main town.
But here in Huailai County, wine isn’t just a beverage. It’s a legacy. The area boasts 6,667 hectares dedicated to vineyards. White and red grapes thrive here. Thirty-eight companies turn these grapes into wine. The China Great Wall Wine Company is the largest. COFCO founded it in 1983. Its headquarters are in Shacheng.
Let’s raise a glass to Huailai County. China’s first bottle of white wine came from here. The first sparkling wine was also produced here. The first brandy followed international standards.
Huailai County is more than just wine. The Jimingyi Gucheng post station stands in the town. It dates back to the Ming Dynasty. Since 2001, it has been a monument of the People’s Republic of China.
South of Xiaonanxinbu is another hidden gem. It’s the Beijing Research Institute of Space Machine Electricity. They operate a unique facility. It is a multi-purpose test site. Here, they test landings on other celestial bodies. It is the largest facility of its kind in Asia.
Huailai County experiences a monsoon-influenced climate. It also has a continental semi-arid climate. Expect cold and dry winters. Summers are hot and humid. But, sunshine is abundant. The area gets around 3,030 hours of sunshine annually.
The county seat is in Shacheng. Huailai has eleven towns. There are five townships. One ethnic township exists here too.
From fine wines to space exploration, Huailai County blends tradition. It embraces innovation. It’s a place where the past informs the future.