Ancient tradition, culinary arts revived in Huaiyuan ancient town during Sanyuesan Festival

Huaiyuan, an ancient town in Yizhou district of Hechi in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region with over 1,300 years of history, is home to many historical sites.

During the Sanyuesan Festival, a traditional ethnic festival in Guangxi that falls on the third day of the third month based on the traditional Chinese calendar, the vibrant atmosphere in Huaiyuan became even more palpable.

Suffused in the aroma of five-colored glutinous rice, the town's residents celebrated this traditional Zhuang festival with a blend of culinary artistry and cultural heritage.

Inside a restaurant specializing in the "eight-treasure" rice, owner Wei Xiuxin was meticulously soaking maple leaves and turmeric, skillfully stirring the dyes for the five-colored glutinous rice. Each color of the rice, derived from natural sources like mimosa flowers and red indigo, carries the fragrance of local flora.

At Peng's Rice Cake Restaurant, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. An intangible cultural heritage inheritor patiently guided young people in making "eight-treasure" rice while hand-painting rice cakes. Each ingredient in the rice symbolizes good fortune.

In Huaiyuan, food transcends taste; it embodies the craftsmanship passed down through generations.

From the fragrant five-colored glutinous rice to exquisite traditional crafts, the Sanyuesan Festival in Hechi is more than a celebration. It is a living ceremony of life, deeply rooted in tradition and community.

The smiles of the residents in the town, the detailed shots of ingredients, and the slow-motion capture of craftsmanship create a vivid spring tableau, showcasing the Zhuang people's dedication to preserving their heritage.