People across China will enjoy traditional delicacies with local characteristics, particularly dumplings, during the Winter Solstice, or Dongzhi, the 22nd of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar.
The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, and falls on Dec. 21 this year.
On this day, people in northern parts of China usually eat dumplings, a tradition symbolizing their hopes for a better life.
At the activity square in Qiujiadian Township of Tai'an City in east China's Shandong Province, around 1,000 people in the neighborhood gathered around dozens of long tables set up for this special day making dumplings in various kinds of fillings such as cabbage, fish, pork, mutton and chives.
As the steaming dumplings were served, around 1,000 villagers sat around, sharing the meal, chatting about family reunions, and experiencing the warmth of wintertime get-together.
"Eat together in an atmosphere as lively as that of the Chinese New Year. These dumplings are filled with not only craftsmanship but also friendship among neighbors," said resident Zhu Yanfeng.
In Lianyungang, a coastal city of east China's Jiangsu Province, in addition to using the usual meat and vegetables as fillings, residents stuffed the dumplings with diced octopus.
"First, we clean the octopus thoroughly. Then, we chop off the tentacles and cut them into small cubes. Afterwards, we mix them with some minced meat and leeks to enhance the flavor," said resident Niu Yeli.
In the province's Xuzhou City, residents usually fill the dumplings with beef or mutton, paired with celery juice or carrots.
"In winter, we eat mutton dumplings and drink mutton soup, which keeps us warm all winter long," said resident Fu Yan.
Meanwhile in Shanghai, sweet soup balls, or glutinous rice balls, are a hot-selling item in local shops during the winter. Shops are full of customers eating sweet soup balls as lunch, and takeout orders have also boomed.
"In southern parts of China, we usually eat sweet soup balls on the Winter Solstice. It is said that after eating this, one will be healthy all year round and enjoy a warm and peaceful Chinese New Year," said a customer.
In Linquan County of Fuyang City in east China's Anhui Province, the warmth of the winter is found in a bowl of steaming hot crispy pork soup. The preparation of crispy pork soup is meticulous and often takes several hours.
"This is my favorite dish every winter solstice. The crispy pork soaks up the savory broth, and eating it warms me right up," said resident Zhang Jinyan.
People across China enjoy traditional delicacies during Winter Solstice
