Alashan is both the name of a region and a type of cashmere goat raised in the Alxa League of China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. This particular breed has long been celebrated for producing some of the finest and most luxurious cashmere in all of China.
Harsh climatic conditions contribute to its exceptional quality. The goats live in high-altitude regions with extreme temperature differences between dry winters and hot summers. In the western part of Inner Mongolia—where Alashan goats are raised—the landscape is typically desert or semi-desert grassland with rocky highlands. The climate is dry, the wind is strong, and vegetation is sparse. Annual rainfall averages only about 100 mm, summer temperatures can reach 40–42°C, and winter lows can drop to –30°C. In these severe conditions, the goats grow a dense, fine down to survive the cold—resulting in Alashan cashmere, widely regarded as the highest-quality cashmere in the world. Top-grade Alashan cashmere is prized for its ultra-fine fibers, natural whiteness, and exquisite luster.
