Walnut Variety Encyclopedia
Mopan (Millstone): Short, flat, rounded “millstone” shape. Smooth ridges, perfect hand fit, and legendary status among collectors.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Bright true red, warm and glossy
Yeniu (Wild Ox): One of the densest varieties available. Slow to color but develops deep, glassy, museum-quality patina.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Deep jujube red, transparent and thick patina
Sanjiaobai: (Triangle White Lion)Distinct triangular top on White Lion genetics. Stable skin, even coloring, and clean aesthetics.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Soft and ruddy, no variegation
Hamato: (Toad head) A modern superstar. Bulbous “eyes” on the shoulders, wide back, and curved base like a resting frog. Highly sought worldwide.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Ruddy and full, thick patina
Pingguoyuan (Apple Orchard)： Round, apple-like profile with a coin-shaped base. Oily, fast-coloring skin and massive popularity.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Clean true red, delicate patina
Mantianxing (Starry Sky)： Dense, tiny bumps like a starry night. Fine texture, taller shape, and a classic refined aesthetic.
Skin type: Red (partial Ginger Yellow)
Post-Patina Color: Soft true red, even and not dull
Qiubai (Round White Lion)： Rounded White Lion derivative. Fine skin, balanced coloring, and smooth, friendly handling.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Clean true red, soft color
Nanjiang Stone ： Legendary density and hardness. Among the most respected elite walnuts, prized for extreme durability.
Skin type: Ginger Yellow
Post-Patina Color: Deep jujube red, strong jade-like luster
Gongdeng (Palace Lantern)： Symmetrical, rounded shape like an ancient lantern. Shallow ridges, ultra-smooth feel, and very popular.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Even and transparent, light red turning to jujube red
Yuanbao (Classic Ingot)： Timeless short, wide ingot shape. Full belly, satisfying hand feel, and widely circulated.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Calm and ruddy, full patina
Da Cujin (Thick Ribs): Thick, dominant main ridges, compact build, and tiny base opening. Extremely heavy and dense.
Skin type: Ginger Yellow
Post-Patina Color: Deep and thick, jujube red with a dark tint
Longmenjian: High-oil skin that polishes to a jade-like translucency. Smooth patina with a premium feel.
Skin type: Waxed
Post-Patina Color: Transparent and jade-like, warm jujube red
Cao Dalong: Bold dragon-scale ridges, waxy skin, and an original wild tree from Changping.
Skin type: Waxed
Post-Patina Color: Warm and transparent, light red turning to deep red
Xue Qilin (Bloody Kirin)： Lychee-like texture with a deep crimson finish. Unique color and structure make it a rare premium pick.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Ox-blood red, bright and long-lasting color
Sanyanggu: Pinggu-origin specialty with bold dragon-claw ridges and waxy skin that colors smoothly.
Skin type: Waxed (Crystal Wax )
Post-Patina Color: Bright true red, fast and stable patina
Qin Men： Short, “muted” top with no sharp point. Dense shell that matures to deep, even red tones.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Calm true red, no variegation
Shen Ji (Shenyang Chicken Heart)： Shenyang regional heart walnut. Fine, oily skin with clean lines and strong local heritage.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: True red and warm, transparent patina
Lianhua (Lotus)： Broad, open ridges resembling lotus petals. Symmetrical build with a calm, elegant appearance.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Even true red, well-matched and well-looked
Jin Gongzi (Scholar Jin)： Improved Scholar’s Hat type. Dense shell, slow coloring, and a glossy, glass-like patina.
Skin type: Waxed
Post-Patina Color: Transparent jujube red, jade-like patina
Hong Jinli (Red Koi)： Develops rich red tones as it matures. Fine skin, small to medium size, and unique color character.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Naturally reddish, deep red and transparent in later stage
Sizuo Lou (Four Towers)： Iconic flowing ridges and chrysanthemum-shaped base. A top mainstream classic with near-universal recognition.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Oxford red, thick patina
Cuikai (Cuikai Scholar’s Hat)： Wide, elegant brims, fine ridges, and consistent quality. One of the most accessible Scholar’s Hat varieties.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Even true red, stable and not dull
Shisanling (Ming Tombs Chicken Heart)： Naturally oily, fast-coloring skin with clean symmetry. A premium regional specialty.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Bright red and transparent, jujube red in later stage
Nanguadun (Pumpkin)： Rounded, plump shape like a small pumpkin. Shallow ridges, smooth feel, and friendly handling.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Soft true red, clean color
Nanjiang Stone - Zhao Ximan： Refined Nanjiang Shi type with shorter stature and delicate ridges. Exceptionally hard and dense.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Dark jujube red, strong jade-like luster
Maihu (Wheat Ear Tiger Head)： Ridges resemble wheat stalks. Taller profile, tough yet forgiving skin — a classic beginner staple.
Skin type: Red (partial Ginger Yellow )
Post-Patina Color: Standard true red
Panshi (Rock)： Ultra-dense shell that colors slowly but forms extremely durable, long-lasting patina.
Skin type: Waxed
Post-Patina Color: Calm jujube red, stable patina
Mentougou Yuanbao (Mentougou Ingot)： Short, wide “ingot” shape with a full belly and flat base. Heavy, dense, and highly valued by enthusiasts.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Calm and ruddy, heavy hand feel
Panshan Three Ridges： Tianjin regional classic. Deep ridges, easy to redden, and widely respected among seasoned collectors.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Ruddy and transparent, easy to get patina when played
Yelang (Wild Wolf)： Sharp, aggressive ridges like claw marks. Slender build with a wild, untamed look.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Deep jujube red, slow patina formation
Tutu： Balanced, mild-mannered shape with no extreme traits. A clean, understated collector’s choice.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Stable true red, no variegation or abnormal color
Guanmao (Official Hat)： One of the “Four Great Famous Walnuts”. Wide, flared top resembling an official’s hat. Deep ridges and very beginner-friendly.
Skin type: Red (partial Ginger Yellow)
Post-Patina Color: Calm true red, durable patina
Xibei Jiangjun (Northwest General)： Extra-wide “shoulders” and tough, rugged shell. A regional hardy type from China’s northwest.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Calm jujube red, thick color
Dagushi： Tall, straight profile with thick, bold ridges. Yellowish skin with outstanding density.
Skin type: Ginger Yellow
Post-Patina Color: Ginger yellow turning to jujube red, stable patina
Tiechui (Hammer)： Incredibly hard and dense, living up to its name. Heavy, solid feel with steady, reliable coloring.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Calm dark red, solid patina
Chilong Jixin (Red Dragon Chicken Heart)： Modern improved Heart walnut. Smoother lines, better symmetry, and more desirable than older classic heart types.
Skin type: Waxed
Post-Patina Color: Warm true red, comfortable and durable
Shuilongwen (Water Dragon Pattern)： Smooth, wave-like ridges. Soft texture with good natural oils; one of the easier types to redden.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Bright red and transparent, easy to get patina
Tiandi ： Tapered shape — narrow at the top, full below. Clean, even patterning with a modest following.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Stable true red, no obvious deviation
Ciwawa (Porcelain Doll)： Extremely fine, dense skin that polishes to a porcelain-like shine. Colors quickly and forms bright patina.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Bright red and transparent, fast patina
Dasuantou (Garlic Bulb)： Short, round shape resembling a garlic clove. Large belly, flat base, and easy, comfortable handling.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Regular true red, no distinctive features
Hutou Wang (Tiger Head King)： An enhanced Tiger Head style: taller profile, deep grooves, and a satisfyingly heavy feel in hand.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Steady jujube red, solid hand feel
Fodu (Buddha Belly)： Plump, rounded belly with a full, generous shape. Strong, bold ridges and a commanding presence.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Rich jujube red, darker color in the ridged areas
Pinggu Aodi (Pinggu Concave Base)： Famous for its deeply sunken base. Smooth pinkish skin with high oil content; a sought-after local fine variety.
Skin type: Red (Pinkish Red)
Post-Patina Color: Pink turning to true red, transparent and warm
Jinniu (Golden Bull)： Stout, heavy build with deep ridges. Tough shell that matures to a rich oxblood red.
Skin type: Waxed
Post-Patina Color: Oxford red, calm color
Fenghuangtai (Phoenix Platform): Elegant, flowing ridges with a clean silhouette. A regional specialty rarely seen in mainstream markets.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Clean true red
Huabei Jiangjun (North-China General)： Broad, strong “shoulders” in the style of General’s Wing walnuts. Solid build with traditional northern hardiness.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Standard true red, stable and consistent
Xiuqiu (Hydrangea)： Near-round, compact shape like a decorative silk ball. Smooth feel with tight, neat patterning.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Even true red, delicate and compact
Mayiwang (Ant King)： Dense, tiny, intricate ridges like ant trails. Small to medium size with smooth, oily skin.
Skin type: Ginger Yellow
Post-Patina Color: Ginger yellow turning to red, clean and transparent
Longji (Dragon Spine)： Defined by a sharp, central ridge running from top to bottom like a dragon’s back. Very dense and firm in texture.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Deep jujube red, jade-like finish in later stage
Zhangu (War Drum)： Round, stout shape like a small drum. Dense, hard shell with shallow, smooth lines. A unique niche choice.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Even true red, calm and well-patinated
Guijiawen (Tortoise Shell)： Distinctive blocky, segmented texture resembling a tortoise shell. Colors up relatively quickly, with a compact, even form.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Standard true red, no discoloration
Bawanglong (Tyrannosaurus Rex)： Bold, rugged ridges with a tall profile. A lesser-seen early cultivated type with a strong, imposing shape.
Skin type: Red
Post-Patina Color: Regular true red, no special color features, *bad bone quality*
