Yangmei Sha Gao (Sesame Cake)

Yangmei Sha Gao

　　The history of sha gao is very long, dating back to as early as the Pre-Qin period when similar types of cakes existed. In ancient times, rice cakes were called “ěr” or “zī.” This is reflected in many ancient texts such as the Rites of Zhou, the Songs of Chu, and historical culinary works. Legend has it that one of the Eight Immortals, Lü Dongbin, once gave an elixir from his gourd to a kind-hearted young man from Yangmei, instructing him to mix it into the sha gao he made. Not only did it cure his mother’s illness, but the soft and sweet taste of the cake also gained wide popularity, making Yangmei Sha Gao a renowned delicacy recognized across the region.

　　 Yangmei Ancient Town is located in the southwest of Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, just 36 kilometers from downtown Nanning. Established during the Song Dynasty, the town still preserves cultural relics from the Ming and Qing dynasties such as ancient streets, alleys, ancestral halls, temples, residences, old trees, gateways, docks, the Wenwu Pagoda, and beacon towers. It is the place in Nanning where Ming and Qing architecture is best preserved. Meanwhile, the local residents have maintained a strong tradition of commerce and the processing and sale of agricultural and sideline products, giving rise to sha gao, which is known as one of the “Three Treasures of Yangmei.”