Natural resources in Taowan Town

Taowan Town is rich in various resources and is a well-known crystal producing area and the hometown of lilies. Taowan crystal has excellent texture and high silicon content, which is comparable to Brazilian crystal; Taowan lily has excellent varieties and rich nutrition, and is of top quality for both medicinal and edible use. With 47 kinds of mineral resources and more than 100 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine resources within the territory, Taowan Town has won the title of "Resource Town" and "Treasure House of Traditional Chinese Medicine" in western Henan. Taowan Town has various mineral products such as molybdenum, crystal, gold, silver, lead, zinc, manganese, iron, asbestos, marble, etc. Among them, molybdenum and crystal have long been famous in the country. There are many kinds of Chinese medicinal materials, such as potato meat and Gastrodia elata. Lily, forsythia and other Chinese medicinal materials are of high quality and in large quantities, and are known as the natural medicine storehouse of western Henan. Among them, the lily planting area ranks first in Henan and second in the country.

Taowan Town is the birthplace of the Yi River (Mundun Ridge, Sanhe Village). The Yi River runs through the town, with a 15-kilometer course, and belongs to the Yellow River Basin. In 2003, it was awarded the honorary title of "Zhongzhou Famous Town" by the Henan Provincial People's Government. Taowan Town is rich in resources: first, mineral resources. Currently, the metal mines with proven reserves include molybdenum, gold, lead, zinc, iron, and non-metallic minerals include crystal, Yiyuan jade and other 26 mineral resources. The second is traditional Chinese medicinal materials and local product resources. The main products include forsythia, gastrodia elata, salvia, cornus, bupleurum, platycodon, etc.; local specialties include lilies, walnuts, persimmons, etc. Among them, lilies have been planted in Taowan for hundreds of years. The third is tourism resources. . The fourth is forest and animal husbandry resources. The town has a total forest slope of 210,000 acres, with a forest coverage rate of 87% and a forest storage capacity of 600,000 cubic meters. It is known as a "big resource town" and a "treasure house of traditional Chinese medicine" in western Henan. With the development and utilization of forestry and animal husbandry, some mountainous areas have become natural pastures and good breeding grounds.

Taowan Town Luanchuan Jade Mine is located at the head of Taowan Town, Yiheyuan, Luanchuan County. The jade produced by the mine is called "Yiyuan Jade" by the locals. The Luanchuan Jade Mine produces serpentine-type jade and tremolite-type white jade. The development and utilization of serpentine jade and white jade has a long history. According to archaeological records, production and utilization began during the Yangshao Culture period of the Neolithic Age, about 5,000 years ago. Among the stone tools excavated here, archaeological experts found jade (stone) tools made of serpentine jade and white jade as raw materials. Luanchuan serpentine jade has rich colors, including dark green, dark green, light yellow-green and off-white brown. Various types of jade can be developed, and white jade products can also be developed and processed.