As autumn arrives with refreshing breezes and the aroma of mooncakes fills the air, on the morning of August 25, villagers from near and far gathered at the People’s Square in Shenchi County. While savoring the sweet and fragrant mooncakes, they enjoyed local folk performances such as Erren Tai and Shenchi Daoqing, their faces beaming with happiness. From August 25 to September…
Jingtang Temple Township: Codonopsis, Astragalus, Yingpan mushrooms.…
Jingtang Temple Township: Codonopsis, Astragalus, Yingpan mushrooms.…
The Shenchi Sanba Banquet gets its name from the traditional 24 dishes served—three sets of eight—but the final spread often includes more than just 24 plates. The entire banquet is named after the number eight, symbolizing pairs and good fortune in pairs, as celebrations are meant to come in twos. The menu is based on the number four, representing wishes for “everything going as desired” and “stability in all aspects.” The ingredients deliberately avoid offal or other “variety meats,” and none of the dish names include the character 炒 (which sounds like 吵, meaning “quarrel”). Before the meal begins, eight plates of dried and fresh fruits are served, though these are not counted as part of the official “Sanba Banquet” dishes. They are prepared for guests who arrive early or while waiting for others to join. The four dried fruits—candied peanuts, longan, melon seeds, and raisins—symbolize the wish for having children soon and a large, prosperous family. The four fresh fruits—apples, oranges, bananas, and cantaloupe—represent peace, safety, and good fortune. These offerings express the warm hospitality and best wishes of the bride’s family toward their new son-in-law.
Shenchi flaxseed oil boasts a pure yellow and transparent color, a fragrant aroma, and does not settle even when stored for long periods. It quickly browns food when used for frying or deep-frying. Scientific analysis shows that the oil contains oleic acid and linoleic acid—essential nutrients and physiologically necessary fatty acids in food. Regular consumption can help prevent conditions such as high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis. With a high iodine value, this oil is highly drying, making it widely used in the production of paints and premium printing inks for currency and stamps. It also contains flaxseed gum, which is used in leather processing, medicine, and national defense industries. Due to the unique growing environment of Shenchi flax, the seeds develop specific qualities, and the resulting Shenchi flaxseed oil has been hailed by nutrition and health experts both in China and abroad as the “‘deep-sea fish oil’ of the mountains.” Local sayings such as “Eat one oil bloom, feel refreshed for three days,” “Eat flaxseed oil every day, feel like an immortal,” and “Fill your oil jar, never worry about money” have been passed down through generations. In the region, Shenchi flaxseed oil is an important gift during festivals, family visits, and cultural exchanges. Its value goes far beyond mere consumption—it carries rich regional cultural significance.
Made with tender braised pork, potatoes, potato noodles, tofu, and seasonings. Simmered in a pressure cooker until the meat and potatoes are soft and tender—suitable for all ages. …
Jingtangsi Township: Codonopsis, Astragalus, Yingpan Mushrooms.…
Wuzhai cabbage is a specialty of Wuzhai County in Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province. Renowned across Shanxi, Wuzhai cabbage is celebrated alongside Pingyao beef and Taigu cake for its large size and solid heart. Cabbage, also known as kale or Brassica oleracea, has long been famous in Wuzhai. There’s even a saying: “Wuzhai’s cabbage, Kelan’s scallions.” Not only is it large and tightly packed, but it also tastes…
Making fish-shaped dough in Five-Zhai involves kneading flour into the shape of a fish, steaming it in a bamboo steamer, then cooling the steamed dough. After cooling, it is colored, painted, and detailed with lines and eyes. Through this artistic process, the fish-shaped dough naturally becomes vibrant and lifelike. On top of the coloring and detailing, when dried over a low flame, the fish-shaped dough can be preserved as a craft item...
Fried Glutinous Millet Cake is a beloved traditional pastry among locals. Its name sounds like “even higher” (又高), so it’s often served during important occasions such as children’s exams, festivals, hosting guests, weddings, funerals, and house-raising ceremonies. With its golden color, crispy exterior, sticky interior that isn’t greasy, and delicious aroma, it is widely adored. …
Golden Corn Pancakes. Golden Corn Pancakes are golden in color and boast a delicious, crispy, sweet, and crunchy texture. 1. Take 300 grams of cornmeal (preferably coarse cornmeal) and 150 grams of wheat flour (this amount is suitable for a family of three), and mix them together in a bowl. 2. Dissolve 10 grams of dry yeast in an appropriate amount of warm water (not too hot to touch), then pour…
Wuzhai Potato Starch Sheets are meticulously crafted from high-quality starch and premium potato starch sourced from grasslands. They feature a scientifically formulated recipe, offering a unique flavor, pure taste, pleasant texture, and convenient preparation. Rich in essential trace elements such as potassium, calcium, and iron, as well as various vitamins, these sheets contain no preservatives or…
Xibaoyu Township: Black-backed goats.…
Shentangping Township: Yingpan Mushrooms.…
Nan Cloth Shoes from Kelan County: Renowned across North China.…
Mutton Wuzhai goats are raised in mountainous areas at an altitude of 1,600 meters, on the fringe of Luya Mountain¹, where there is no industrial pollution and the vegetation is lush. The goats “eat Chinese herbal plants and drink mineral water.” Due to its low cholesterol and fat content, goat meat is becoming increasingly popular. …
Wuzhai Tofu Processing bean products has long been a specialty of the people in Wuzhai, and among the many bean products, tofu stands out the most. Its production is meticulous, with a history of several hundred years. In addition, the clear Qinglian River flows down from the mountains, carrying wild plants from Luya Mountain such as astragalus, codonopsis, and ganoderma, which are washed into the river by the current, resulting in exceptionally sweet and pure water...
Counties such as Jingle, Kelan, Wucai, and Shenchi, with their high altitude and cool climate, provide the ideal environment for growing naked oats. The oats produced here are vibrant in color, fragrant in taste, and rich in nutrients. Naked oat flour is primarily made from naked oats through refined processing, containing 1.6 to 2.2 times more protein than white flour, rice, or cornmeal. Naked oat flour is also rich in...
Cypress-Seed Lamb comes from the mountainous region of Kelan, where the hills are covered with dwarf juniper and ancient cypress groves. The goats feed on cypress seeds and leaves, hence the name “Cypress-Seed Lamb.” The meat is fine-textured, clearly marbled, delicious, and has a unique aroma of cypress seeds. Dishes made with this lamb are not fishy or gamey but exceptionally fragrant and flavorful. In Kelan…
Dough Fish Figurines, as the name suggests, are fish-shaped figures made from flour dough. They are steamed in a steamer basket, then cooled, colored, and painted with details like lines and eyes. After this artistic process, the dough fish naturally become vibrant and lifelike. With further processing through low-heat drying, these dough fish can be preserved as handicrafts…