January 11, 2026 saw the host of a feast rich in festive vibe and local flavor in Yaxi Slow City in Gaochun District, Nanjing. Along the 1.6-kilometer-long street, where over 450 tables were arranged, around 5,000 visitors gathered to enjoy the delicious food and celebrate the new year. 

The feast began at noon, spiced up by the parade of lion dances and God of Wealth, while performers in Fuwa costumes handed out “red envelops” (lucky money) to guests. Laughter and applause filled the air, a truly festive scene. Menu of the feast was specially designed to include signature local flavors. Each dish carried the most heartfelt blessings to the guest, who were literally in for a treat with a bite of Gaochun.

The banquet is as much a pleasure to the palate as a celebration of traditional culture. The spectacular dragon and lion dances, the time-honored horse-shaped lantern parade, children’s martial arts performances, festive dances as well as traditional rituals such as New Year pig slaughter all spoke volume of the unique charm of the intangible cultural heritage of Gaochun.

The event represents an important move in promoting integrated development of agriculture, commerce, culture, and tourism. Through a fine combination of online advertisement and on-site immersive experience, the event attracted tourists with a full display of local cuisine, scenery, and intangible cultural heritage, which contributed to a growth in winter tourism consumption in rural areas, benefiting multiple stakeholders, particularly local residents.