Tujia Cured Pork: A traditional Tujia preserved food, made by curing and smoking pork. It has a unique flavor and a strong aroma.

Sanxia Guo: a classic Tujia dish, primarily consisting of pork, tofu, and pickled vegetables. It is simmered to produce a rich flavor and hearty broth, and is very popular.

Savory Pancake: a type of crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside pancake made from flour and seasonings. It has a rich, savory flavor and is suitable as a breakfast or snack.

Artemisia Cake: made from artemisia (wild herbs) and rice flour, giving it a unique, fragrant taste. It is typically steamed and has a soft, sticky texture.

Tujia rice tofu: made from rice slurry, cut into small pieces, and stir-fried with various seasonings or sauces. It has a distinctive taste and is often served as a main dish or side.

Tujia Underground Wine: usually made from sorghum or rice, with a rich, smooth flavor. It is named for its storage underground or in caves.

Berry tea: also known as longevity tea, has a slightly bitter taste initially but becomes sweet afterward.

Festivals

Lantern Festival
Celebrated on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, marks the end of the Spring Festival and is also known as the "Shangyuan Festival." In Zhangjiajie, the city center is put under traffic control, and a grand stage is set up for the celebrations. Thousands of people throng the streets to enjoy the festivities.

 

Cultural Feast

Dragon and Lion Dances and Martial Arts Performances: Traditional dragon and lion dances, along with spectacular martial arts displays, create a lively festival atmosphere.

Zhangjiajie Yangxi: A traditional local opera showcasing unique regional culture and art.
Tujia Flower Lanterns: Exquisite lanterns from the Tujia ethnic group, highlighting traditional craftsmanship and culture.

Bashou Dance: A traditional dance full of local flavor, adding to the festive cheer.

Dragon Lanterns and Lion Lanterns: Traditional lantern decorations that enhance the festival’s visual appeal.

Zhangjiajie Tall Flower Lanterns and Shell Lanterns: These lanterns attract many visitors with their intricate and unique designs.

Lotus Picking Boat: A traditional boat performance that showcases local folk customs.

Tiuluzi (Spinning Top): A traditional folk game that provides fun and excitement.

Modern Song and Dance Performances: Contemporary performances offering a visual and auditory feast.

 

Cultural Market Festival

Spring Festival Couplets Writing: Calligraphy enthusiasts write festive couplets on-site, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere.

Paper Cutting and Paper Art: Displays of traditional paper-cutting art, showcasing the charm of folk crafts.

Lantern Making: Participants can create their own lanterns, experiencing traditional craftsmanship.

Tea Art and Tea Culture: Tea tasting events that highlight the unique charm of tea culture.

Noodle Carnival: A creative cooking competition featuring rice noodles and pasta dishes, showcasing the diversity of local cuisine.
The festival is a vibrant celebration that blends traditional folk culture with modern elements, attracting thousands of visitors and locals to come together and celebrate this festival of reunion and happiness.

 

Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival, celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, is a traditional Chinese festival that combines worship, ancestor veneration, fortune and health rituals, festive entertainment, and special foods.

 

Here are some key activities and customs associated with the festival:

Village Visits:During the Dragon Boat Festival, friends and family from different villages visit each other to enjoy zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and rice wine while paying respects to Qu Yuan. Hosts will stay up with their guests until dawn, and when guests leave the next day, they are given a bundle of zongzi to take home, with hosts personally escorting them to the village gate.

 

Eating the "Five Yellow":A traditional part of the Dragon Boat Festival meal involves consuming foods known as the "Five Yellow," which includes:yellow eel,yellow cucumber,yellow fish,yellow mud eggs and

Huang wine (a type of yellow wine)

Zongzi is also a must-have at the table. Before the meal begins, elders will pour huang wine from a cup and apply it to the faces, foreheads, and necks of children. The meal starts with the eldest person drinking the first sip of huang wine, which is then passed around so that everyone at the table, regardless of age, takes a sip.

 

Duck Grabbing Contest:This tradition originates from a legend about a Miao hero who killed a dragon to save people. It has evolved into a fun contest where live ducks are released into the water during dragon boat races. Participants try to catch as many ducks as they can, and catching a duck is considered very lucky. The ducks symbolize good fortune and add excitement to the festival.

 

Dragon Boat Races:In the dragon boat races, boats are designed as "mother and child boats," with each dragon boat carved from a single large piece of wood, such as a cedar or large paulownia tree. The boats are arranged in pairs, with one larger boat (the mother boat) and one smaller boat (the child boat) racing together. The competition among these boats is both thrilling and entertaining.

 

These activities and customs highlight the rich cultural significance and traditional aspects of the Dragon Boat Festival.