Fenjiu History

Fenjiu’s origins can be tracked back over 6000 years to the ancient Yangshao culture period. In 1982, the archaeological team from Jilin University discovered the drinkware from Yangshao period in Xinghua village, which was also earliest drinkware in the human history.

The earliest documented record about Fenjiu was from 1500 years ago. Fenjiu was used as an imperial royal wine, highly praised and frequently enjoyed by Emperor Wucheng of Northern Qi.

One of the greatest poets in the Chinese history from Tang Dynasty, Du Mu, wrote a poem inspired by Fenjiu as he was passing through Xinghua village. The story tells about a traveler travelled to Fenyang, Shanxi, and felt tired and thirsty. He saw a shepherd boy and asked where he could find a place to have a drink. The boy pointed to the Xinghua village. To this very day, this poem about Xinghua village Fenjiu is still learnt and known by every Chinese person.

At the Panama Pacific World Exposition in 1915, Fenjiu was awarded Grand Medal, the highest award for spirits.

In 1919, JinYu Fenjiu Limited Company was established in Taiyuan. The first trademark for Baijiu and the first joint-stock Baijiu enterprise was established.

In 1949, Prime Minister Zhou Enlai appointed Fenjiu as the official spirit for the banquet marking the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Fenjiu was later announced as one of the top four Chinese Spirits.