Lu dangshen

The farms in Longxi township in Pingshun county are known as Dangshen Valley among industry insiders. [Photo by Wang Chao for China Daily]

Dangshen, the Chinese name of the popular medical herb of hairy asiabell, is something that can directly remind people of its geographical indication.

Shangdang is the ancient name of today's Changzhi city in North China's Shanxi province. Dangshen, which literally means ginseng from Shangdang, is so named because the best-quality variety is said to grow in the region.

In Changzhi, the county of Pingshun is an area with the best conditions for the herb's growth. The local variety is called lu dangshen, which is recognized by industry insiders as the best of the hairy asiabell produced in the city.