Hainan's Zaopo vinegar sees industrial growth as traditional brewing combined with modern production

People try zaopo vinegar hotpot at a restaurant in Wenchang City, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 29, 2026. Zaopo vinegar, a traditional specialty of Puqian Town in Wenchang City, has seen industrial growth in recent years as traditional brewing techniques are combined with modern standardized production, helping promote cultural-tourism integration and increase local income. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

A worker cools down steamed rice, the main raw material used to make zaopo vinegar at a factory in Wenchang City, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 28, 2026. Zaopo vinegar, a traditional specialty of Puqian Town in Wenchang City, has seen industrial growth in recent years as traditional brewing techniques are combined with modern standardized production, helping promote cultural-tourism integration and increase local income. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Workers cool down packed zaopo vinegar at a factory in Wenchang City, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 28, 2026. Zaopo vinegar, a traditional specialty of Puqian Town in Wenchang City, has seen industrial growth in recent years as traditional brewing techniques are combined with modern standardized production, helping promote cultural-tourism integration and increase local income. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Shop assistants make zaopo vinegar rice noodles at a restaurant in Wenchang City, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 29, 2026. Zaopo vinegar, a traditional specialty of Puqian Town in Wenchang City, has seen industrial growth in recent years as traditional brewing techniques are combined with modern standardized production, helping promote cultural-tourism integration and increase local income. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

People carry bottles of zaopo vinegar in Puqian Town of Wenchang City, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 29, 2026. Zaopo vinegar, a traditional specialty of Puqian Town in Wenchang City, has seen industrial growth in recent years as traditional brewing techniques are combined with modern standardized production, helping promote cultural-tourism integration and increase local income. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

A staff member collects samples of zaopo vinegar for testing at a factory in Wenchang City, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 28, 2026. Zaopo vinegar, a traditional specialty of Puqian Town in Wenchang City, has seen industrial growth in recent years as traditional brewing techniques are combined with modern standardized production, helping promote cultural-tourism integration and increase local income. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

A staff member takes a sampling test of Zaopo vinegar at a factory in Wenchang City, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 28, 2026. Zaopo vinegar, a traditional specialty of Puqian Town in Wenchang City, has seen industrial growth in recent years as traditional brewing techniques are combined with modern standardized production, helping promote cultural-tourism integration and increase local income. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

This photo taken on Jan. 29, 2026 shows zaopo vinegar rice noodles at a restaurant in Wenchang City, south China's Hainan Province. Zaopo vinegar, a traditional specialty of Puqian Town in Wenchang City, has seen industrial growth in recent years as traditional brewing techniques are combined with modern standardized production, helping promote cultural-tourism integration and increase local income. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)