The 2024 “A Bite of Zhejiang, A Savor of Hangzhou” Food Festival, held from May 18-21 at Wulin Square in Hangzhou, concluded successfully. This grand outdoor immersive food exhibition, spanning over 10,000 square meters, celebrated the rich culinary heritage of Zhejiang. The event aimed to boost consumption while promoting Zhejiang cuisine culture, offering the public a feast of culinary arts, cultural exhibitions, and sensory delights.

Entering the exhibition, visitors were greeted by traditional palace lanterns and dazzling rotating lanterns. Scenes from the Southern Song Dynasty intertwined with modern light displays. This blend of ancient and contemporary created a unique culinary time-space illusion, providing an experience that was visually stunning and richly engaging.

Visitors had the opportunity to explore the culinary streets of all 11 cities in Zhejiang, sampling over a thousand varieties of local delicacies, including time-honored brands and intangible cultural heritage food performances. Michelin-starred chefs from Hangzhou, the legendary Jin Yong-themed banquet from Jiaxing, and fresh seafood from Zhoushan were among the highlights, offering a comprehensive taste of Zhejiang in one place.

Themed cultural banquets featured dishes with rich cultural stories and regional significance, narrating Zhejiang’s history through food. Set against the backdrop of the famous painting “A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains”, the banquets featured the culinary cultures of plains, marine, and mountainous regions, creating a vivid picture of Jiangnan’s cultural and culinary fusion.

Additionally, the festival included an industrial exhibition area showcasing Zhejiang’s entire food industry chain, from ingredients and seasonings to pre-prepared dishes and beverages.

The central stage hosted a Zhejiang cuisine classic contest and the announcement of landmark city foods, allowing the audience to witness the rise of classic Zhejiang dishes and local culinary icons.

The festival was not just a food event but a celebration for the residents. Visitors followed a “Zhejiang Gourmet Map”, collecting stamps to exchange for limited-edition gifts, interacted with NPCs dressed in historical costumes to learn about Zhejiang’s culinary heritage, and enjoyed performances of ancient musical instruments and intangible cultural heritage displays. The event also featured a cultural parade that transported attendees back in time to experience the grandeur of ancient China.