Pingliang red cattle are raised in renovated cave dwellings. [Photo by Yang Mingze/chinadaily.com.cn]

On the Loess Plateau in Northwest China, some cattle are raised in renovated cave dwellings. In Pingliang, Gansu province, abandoned traditional structures have been transformed into eco-friendly barns where cattle are raised in a carefully managed environment designed to support healthy growth.

"We have renovated abandoned cave dwellings once owned by local villages into modern cattle barns," said Wang Jun, head of Zhongbin Pingliang Red Cattle Breeding Farm.

"Their natural ability to stay warm in winter and cool in summer creates a more comfortable environment for cattle growth, which helps improve beef quality. The first phase includes 17 caves and can accommodate 250 cattle."

The cattle drink warm water kept above 18°C and are fed high-quality whole-grain forage. This carefully managed farming approach contributes to their tender texture, rich flavor, well-developed marbling and distinctive aroma, making Pingliang red cattle a premium beef breed in China.

Pingliang red cattle were recognized as China's first certified trademark for live cattle in 2008. According to the city's animal husbandry and veterinary bureau, each one can produce around 44 kilograms of premium cuts, including ribeye, tenderloin, sirloin and fillet, with both yield and quality superior to many other cattle breeds.

By the end of 2025, Pingliang's cattle industry had grown to a significant scale, with more than 1.1 million cattle raised across the city. The city has built 369 large-scale cattle farms, developed cattle-raising villages and standardized farms, and supported 17,000 farming households, according to the city's business bureau.

Pingliang red cattle have a history deeply rooted in the farming traditions of the Loess Plateau. For centuries, cattle have been an important part of local agricultural life, and generations of breeding have helped develop the breed's distinctive characteristics.

"There is a local saying that describes their features: a silky coat, fan-shaped ears, sturdy horns, a square muzzle and pillar-like legs," said Song Zhiliang, head of Zhongbin Pingliang Red Cattle Industrial Park.

"They grow at a slower pace, and the best quality usually comes from cattle raised for more than 36 months. The longer they are raised, the richer the marbling and the better the flavor."

Today, the cattle are not only a specialty food product but also a driving force for rural development. Pingliang has built a complete industrial chain covering breeding, farming, processing and sales. Traditional farming wisdom is being combined with modern technology, including digital monitoring systems and precision feeding, to improve breeding efficiency and quality control.

"Pingliang red cattle are capable of producing high-quality marbled beef comparable to top Japanese Wagyu," said Chen Xiongbing, head of Pingliang Taihong Beef Cattle Breeding Co.

"Some of their aroma compounds are even considered superior to those found in Wagyu."

Yang Mingze contributed to the story.

Pingliang red cattle are raised in modern barns at Zhongbin Pingliang Red Cattle Breeding Farm. [Photo by Yang Mingze/chinadaily.com.cn]