Farmers in Yashipu Village in Tunchang County, Hainan Province, are preparing to harvest fragrant zongzi leaves to meet market demand ss the Dragon Boat Festival approaches. Known as the "Zongzi Leaf Village," Yashipu cultivates about 45 hectares of zongzi leaves beneath rubber trees and has an annual harvest of around six million leaves.
In recent years, Yashipu Village has developed a distinctive zongzi leaf industry tailored to local conditions. Thanks to their flexibility, rich fragrance, and large size, the locally grown leaves are in steady demand all year round, but especially during the Dragon Boat Festival â when supply often outstrips demand. By cultivating zongzi leaves, villagers have seen their average annual income increase six-fold compared to a decade ago, paving the way to prosperity.