Caidian，Wuhan: The "Hometown of Chinese Lotus Roots" Blossoms on the Global Stage

During the 2025 Chinese New Year film season, Nezha 2 dominated the box office, surpassing 10 billion yuan in earnings. The film's mesmerizing portrayal of a body formed from lotus roots transformed Hubei’s lotus roots into a widely recognized cultural symbol.

From an imperial tribute in the Song Dynasty to a benchmark of modern industry, and from muddy fields to dining tables across the globe, Caidian’s lotus roots have thrived for millennia, now embracing a new era of vitality.

Lotus Fields Spread Across Various Areas of Caidian District 

Photo by the Caidian District Bureau of Culture and Tourism

Caidian District, Wuhan, is located in the triangular area where the Han River meets the Yangtze River. The region's thousand-year alluvial deposits have formed rich, clay-like soil packed with organic matter and minerals, earning it the reputation of a "golden cradle for lotus root growth."

The lotus roots of Caidian are delicate, white, and tender — not only a gift from nature but also a testament to successful ecological restoration. With a global outlook, the district has modernized its agricultural landscape, blending ancient lotus fields with advanced ecological management, fostering an optimal environment for cultivation.

Li Zhengwang, a Lotus Root Grower in Caidian District, showcases a 3.23-meter-long super “Lotus King”

Photo by the Publicity Department of the Caidian District Committee

Photo by Caidian District Bureau of Culture and Tourism

Technological innovation runs through the entire lotus root industry chain in Caidian District. On the cultivation side, new varieties such as "E Lian" and "Xiang Fen" cover early, mid, and late maturation periods, meeting diverse market demands. On the processing side, more than 50 deep-processed products — including lotus root starch noodles, ready-to-eat lotus root soup, and lotus root rice puffs — have multiplied the added value of the industry.

Local Lotus Farmers Celebrate A Bountiful Harvest Photo by the Publicity Department of the Caidian District Committee