Pingyao Beef and Varnished Lacquerware (Pingyao County)

Pingyao Beef and Varnished Lacquerware (Pingyao County)

Guanyun Beef Museum

Guanyun Beef Workshop

Dating from the Western Han Dynasty with over-2,000-year history, Pingyao beef had been well known across China in the Qing Dynasty. Its traditional technique is unique in the picking, slaughtering, marinating, stewing, and trimming. It has a ruddy color and good texture with both fatty and lean means delicious. In 2008, Guanyun's traditional technique of processing Pingyao beef was included in the China Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The annual beef output exceeds 10,000 tons. "Pingyao Beef" is a product with national geographical indication, and "Guanyun" is a Famous Trademark of China.

Pingyao varnished lacquerware has long been renowned as one of the four major lacquerwares in China with a history of more than 2,000 years. It is famous for its use of natural lacquer and its gloss polished by hand. The techniques include colored painting with gold powder, engraving and inlaying, embossing lacquer, carving and filling, etc. The main products are tables, cabinets, folding screens, and small tables, which sell well in the United States, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia among other countries and regions. There are four Chinese Arts and Crafts Masters in the industry. In 2006, Pingyao varnished lacquerware painting technique was included in the first batch of China Intangible Cultural Heritage.