English news 2

Yet every year, over the fall and winter months, its streets fill with a unique fragrance that hints at its ancient history — and a bright future: drying tangerine peels, or chenpi.

For residents, it’s the smell of gold.

In fact, the word for “tangerine” in Cantonese, the local dialect, is pronounced the same as the word for “gold” — “gam.” And just like the precious metal, some of those peels can be worth enormous amounts of money.

Xinhui is located on the eastern side of Jiangman, a city in southern Guangdong province. Rows of trees, characterless factories and farms flank new highways. The occasional shiny glass skyscraper looms above, a symbol of the area’s economic rise.

“This is Jiangman Wanda Plaza, the tallest skyscraper in Jiangmen,” says Zhou Zhiwei, a native of the district, as he drives his visiting friend, chef Li Chi Wai, around Xinhui in his gleaming white Porsche.

“Of course, it’s nothing compared to Hong Kong’s skyscrapers but still impressive — almost 200 meters tall. Look at all the well-paved expressways, too. Xinhui has developed so much.”

The city’s success can largely be attributed to its peels.

While tangerines can be grown in other regions, only the ones harvested in Xinhui — and specifically, only their peels — are valued as highly as gold.