The autonomous prefecture of Chuxiong Yi in Yunnan province lies, on average, 2000 meter above sea level. It is the most famous walnut producing region that lies high above sea level. The office of the national forestry industry dubbed it the 'Chinese walnut village'. Walnuts from this production place have been exported to Europe and Japan. The Yunnan plateau is the place where walnut plantations are crowded together. The walnut trees there are all between 20 and 100 years old. The old trees are covered with moss, but some also grow some wild tree fungi.
Walnuts from Yunnan have a longer growth period than walnuts from Xinjiang province and other players. After three years walnuts in Xinjiang bear fruit and can be harvested, but in Yunnan walnuts only produce high yields after 15 to 30 years. After years of sharpening their techniques, walnuts from above sea level have grown to naturally possess a richer and better taste, an abundance of nutrients, and are thus not comparable to ordinary walnuts. These nuts that are grown on trees that are older than 70 years and above sea level have an exceptionally strong taste, a greenish peel which is easy to break open and a fresh yellowish kernel. The walnuts also have a naturally soft taste and the shells are easily peeled off.
Pagoda has joined up with local enterprises to establish a presence in this village. They have purchased walnuts from this year's new season and started to export good products. Simultaneously they have set up a combination of purchasing and processing standards. The process from harvest to processing is completed within three days. Walnuts on the largest level are fresh as ever. After having been picked in the Yi village, the walnut shells are removed and processed once again in factories where they are dried over a stove, selected, cleaned, inspected and wrapped.