Shilin Hot Pot

Shilin Hot Pot

　　Shilin is home to the Sani people, an ethnic group of the Yi nationality. The Sani are a bold and hearty people who enjoy large portions of meat and drink heartily from big bowls. Every year on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, the annual Torch Festival is held in scenic areas such as Shilin, Changhu Lake, or Naigu Stone Forest. If you visit Shilin at this time, after watching the exciting bullfighting and wrestling competitions, you can enjoy a hearty meal of locally distinctive hot pot in the woods not far from the venue, featuring meats such as lamb, dog meat, and donkey meat. The cooking technique here is excellent — various meats are stewed to perfection, neither too tough nor too soft; there are no strange or off-putting flavors such as gamey or fishy tastes, and the color, aroma, and taste are all exquisite, leaving a memorable aftertaste.