Jiaodong Huabobo brings good wishes for new year

[Video provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Yantai is a city with a rich historical and cultural heritage. Its regional cultures, including its maritime culture, the folk customs of Jiaodong peninsula in Shandong province, its revolutionary history, its Taoist culture, and its wine culture, are diverse and unique.

Every year ahead of the Spring Festival, local residents usually make Jiaodong Huabobo, a popular traditional food dating back more than 300 years. It is a flower-shaped steamed bun often eaten at local folk activities such as celebrations and festivals.

Not only is Huabobo visually appealing, but it is also made entirely by hand using natural ingredients. It has been recognized as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage item in Shandong province. Jiaodong Huabobo is an artistic style of Huabobo created by Jiaodong residents based on their customs, festivals, and regional character, using flour as the main ingredient.

It is widely eaten as a part of Jiaodong customs such as the Spring Festival, weddings, birthday celebrations, longevity wishes, coming-of-age ceremonies, house-raising ceremonies, and sea worship. It occupies a special place in folk activities, symbolizing auspiciousness and possessing distinctive artistic characteristics and life interests. It represents peace, health, good fortune, prosperity, abundance, and happiness.