The art of clay sculpture in China can be traced back to the Neolithic Age, between 4,000 and 10,000 years ago. Since then, this art form has continued without interruption and developed into an important artistic genre during the Han Dynasty. After the Han, with the rise of Taoism and the introduction of Buddhism, the proliferation of Taoist temples, Buddhist monasteries, and shrines further stimulated the demand for and development of clay sculpture...
Quyang Sesame Cake is a specialty food from Quyang, made with a proprietary secret recipe. It is exquisitely crafted, featuring a delightful aroma, a crispy texture, and an exceptionally thin crust. The cake stays soft even when stored for long periods and does not harden when air-dried. Made with premium wheat flour, sesame seeds, and purified water, it is traditionally baked in a clay oven...
According to the *Quyang County Annals*: “Mount Huang has produced white stone since ancient times, suitable for steles and various objects, hence many stonemasons lived in the villages around the mountain.” Historical records confirm that as early as the Han Dynasty over 200 years BC, Quyang stone carving was already used in construction. To the south of Quyang County sits the “Dog Pagoda,” said to have been commissioned by Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–55 AD)…
Qingyuan wheat is a specialty of Qingyuan County, Baoding City, Hebei Province. Qingyuan County is a national high-quality wheat production base. Located in the central part of Hebei Province and within the triangular area between Beijing, Tianjin, and Shijiazhuang, it lies to the west of the Taihang Mountains, to the east of Baiyangdian Lake, and is surrounded on three sides by the ancient city of Baoding. It is recognized as a national high-quality wheat production base. In 2010, the wheat planting area in Qingyuan County...
Open-Mouth Sesame Cake The Open-Mouth Sesame Cake is a traditional specialty snack from Baoding, dating back to the late Qing Dynasty. After the liberation and until the early days of the Cultural Revolution, it could still be found for sale in areas such as Beida Street and Chenghuangmiao Street. It disappeared in the early 1970s. In 2002, the four Zhao brothers opened a snack shop called "Tian Yipin" on the east side of Yangguang South Street, reviving this long-lost delicacy that had been gone for 3...
Tianyizhai Steamed Buns, as renowned as Baiyunzhang Steamed Buns, are a beloved traditional food among the public. With a history of over 80 years, the shop was originally located in Jishan Market at Machang, Baoding, neighboring Baiyunzhang Steamed Buns. In 1956, Tianyizhai Steamed Buns was incorporated into a joint state-private enterprise and renamed Tianyizhai Restaurant. In 1958, the building became dilapidated…
Wang Family Traditional Pickled Eggs are made from first-grade fresh eggs of superior quality. The egg whites are tender yet firm, while the yolks are sandy-textured, oily, and deliciously fragrant. The pickled eggshells are chestnut-red in color, fresh, and clean. Over 60 years ago, Wang Lin, an artisan who lived near Dawudao Temple in Baoding, began producing these pickled eggs. Later, he passed down the technique to...
The Goat Horn Chili resembles a goat’s horn in shape, is about as thick as a finger, and measures around 12 centimeters in length. It boasts a glossy purplish-red color, thick and juicy flesh, rich in oiliness and elasticity. It is resistant to being crushed and stores well, offering a spicy yet fragrant taste. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Goat Horn Chili was renowned for its excellent color, shape, and flavor. …
Hebei Jujube. Hebei Jujube is primarily produced in the Baoding area of Hebei Province, with the highest yield in Qingyuan. The fruit is large, with thin skin, thick flesh, small pits, high sugar content, and a sweet and delicious taste. The main varieties include: Po Jujube, Gourd Jujube, - Jujube, and Round Bell Jujube. It has a history of over 2,000 years. As recorded in “Records of the Grand Historian,” “From Shanggu (now Yixian County, Baoding) to Liaodong, there were profits from fish, salt, jujubes, and chestnuts, which could be harvested without effort.”
The King San Neng Kitchen Knife was created by master craftsman Wang San Neng. All products bear the inscription "San Wang," hence also known as the "San Wang Kitchen Knife." As early as the Ming and Qing dynasties, the knife-making industry in the Baoding region was quite developed, with skills passed down through generations. The products were sold throughout northern China. Wang San Neng inherited the traditional craftsmanship and incorporated the strengths of various schools. Around the 1930s, he formally established...
Qingyuan Incense I. Main and Auxiliary Materials (I) Main Ingredient: Wild Hibiscus. Select the whole plant of wild or cultivated wild hibiscus within the production area that has grown for more than 70 days, dry it naturally or by baking, with moisture content less than or equal to 10%; grind it to 100 mesh and store, with storage period not exceeding 2 weeks. (II) Auxiliary Materials:
Lizhuang Strawberries…
Fruit Tree Bonsai in Suncun…
Also known as tofu tendon. Produced in Gaobeidian, Hebei. Made from locally grown soybeans, the production process includes selection, soaking, grinding, boiling, filtering, coagulating, pressing, slicing, simmering, and bundling. The grinding process uses a coarse grinding method with fine gauze filtration, resulting in a pure texture, strong elasticity, and chewy mouthfeel. The simmering process...
Method for making bowl meat: 1. Ingredient selection. Usually pork belly is chosen, with the fat-to-lean ratio based on personal preference. The bean sheets should be firm and chewy. 2. Cut the meat into chunks about 15cm in size to facilitate subsequent steps. 3. Parboil the meat. This means blanching the meat in boiling water to remove blood. Remember to skim off the foam. 3. Deep-fry. I’m not entirely sure about this step…
Stewed Tofu in Sauce is a famous snack in Baoding, among which Yang Shirong’s version is particularly well-known. The dish is made by cutting tofu into rectangular pieces, frying them in vegetable oil until they turn golden and bubble-like, then simmering them with seasonings and other ingredients. Many people enjoy eating it together with shaobing (a type of flatbread), making for a uniquely flavored vegetarian dish. …
Plush toys are another major pillar industry for export earnings in Tang County. Their products are mainly sold to markets such as Japan and South Korea, enjoying an excellent international reputation. Tang County plush toys are characterized by a wide variety and vibrant designs. The production of Tang County plush toys strictly controls raw materials and manufacturing processes, and strictly adheres to national epidemic prevention standards. These products are...
Tanghe Carp, a specialty of Tang County, is a native fish species of the Tanghe River. Unlike similar fish from other river basins, it is renowned for its tender and rich flavor, golden color, and being pollution-free and all-natural. It offers health benefits such as reducing internal heat, improving vision, soothing liver fire, and boosting energy and brain function. It is an ideal food and health product that is high in protein, low in fat, and low in cholesterol.
Ancient texts refer to them as "hutao" or "qiangtao." Tang County is one of the earliest regions in China to cultivate walnuts, with a long history of cultivation. There are many excellent varieties of walnuts here, mainly including paper-shell walnuts, thin-shelled walnuts, open-kernel walnuts, spike walnuts, and early-ripening walnuts, which generally feature thin shells, large fruits, and high oil content. Walnuts are...
In late autumn, as you enter the western part of Tang County, the first sight to greet you is a landscape of “frost-kissed leaves glowing red along the river, and mountains ablaze with persimmons.” It stirs a natural curiosity and the feeling that “the essence of autumn lies right here in these hills.” Persimmons are flat and round in shape, with a glossy, smooth, and richly colored vermilion skin. They are thin-skinned, seedless, and have deep…