A unique feast known as the "Peacock Banquet" in southwest China's Yunnan Province offers a one-of-a-kind culinary experience that dazzles both the eyes and the taste buds.
The "Peacock Banquet" is a popular culinary tradition in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, where peacocks symbolize good fortune.
The eye-catching culinary spectacle brings together iconic dishes from the region's diverse ethnic groups which are artfully arranged on banana leaves, mimicking the majestic display of a peacock's plumage.
Everything on the table is edible except for the "peacock head", which is just a decorative piece made of foam. Many ingredients and seasonings in the dishes are sourced directly from nature.
Li Zengliang, manager of a restaurant that serves the special dishes introduced how rice becomes yellow.
"There is a type of local wildflower we call the 'rice-dying flower.' It's usually dried and stored, available year-round. After soaking in water, it's used to steam rice. It's completely natural, with no synthetic food pigments," he said.
Even dandelions can be transformed into a delectable dish.
"This dish is made by coating dandelion leaves in flour and deep-frying them to perfection," Li said.
In addition to deep-frying, the feast is prepared using various other cooking methods, including stir-frying, boiling and roasting.
"This is a signature dish of the Jingpo people, called wrapped and roasted beef. Fresh beef, together with local spices, is wrapped in banana leaves, and slow-cooked over charcoal. Once ready, it carries a delicate aroma from the banana leaves," he said.
The "Peacock Banquet" is becoming increasingly popular with tourists from all over the country. Beyond its unique flavors, it offers a deep dive into the region's rich ethnic cultures.
'Peacock Banquet', feast for eyes, taste buds in Yunnan Province
The promo of China Media Group (CMG)'s 2026 Spring Festival Gala has been showcased at overseas Chinese New Year celebrations and city landmarks, bringing a vibrant festive atmosphere to locals and homesick Chinese people.
The Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional holiday for Chinese people. It falls on Feb 17 this year, ushering in the Year of the Horse, the seventh animal in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle.
The gala's live broadcast on the eve of the festival has become a cherished part of the celebrations in hundreds of millions of homes.
The promotional video was featured at the "Icebreakers" Chinese New Year Dinner 2026 held in London, UK. The captivating audio-visual presentation showcased the unique charm of the Chinese New Year and the vigorous spirit of the Chinese people to attendees from both Chinese and British communities.
The promo was also displayed at the China-Cyprus Spring Festival Celebration Gala 2026 in Nicosia, conveying the theme of harmony and reunion that is celebrated during the Chinese New Year.
During the event, participants enjoyed splendid cultural performances including traditional opera, martial arts, acrobatics, songs and dances, as well as robot shows, and celebrated the profound friendship between the people of China and Cyprus.
Meanwhile, the promotional video for this grand gala has been played on screens across Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania. It has been continuously displayed since Saturday at the Julius Nyerere International Airport, the central business district, and outdoor billboards lining the streets, drawing local citizens and overseas Chinese in Tanzania.
"I'm really excited to watch the promotional video of the CMG's Spring Festival Gala in Tanzania. This time, I can't return home due to work reasons, but as a Chinese, I will still watch the Spring Festival Gala even if I'm in Africa as it is a must-do Chinese New Year celebration. Although I miss home, I won't feel lonely being able to watch the Spring Festival Gala with Chinese people all over the world," said Li Zhichong, a Chinese living in Tanzania.
CMG Spring Festival Gala promo shown in various countries
