In Cangxi County, a quiet town in northern Sichuan Province, a centuries-old rural tradition—the “Pao Zhu Banquet” (literally “Butchering Pig Feast”)—is making a heartfelt comeback, bridging urban visitors with countryside life and weaving together heritage with modern rural development.
On January 18, in San Chuan Town of Guangyuan City, local village Party secretary Lei Guiquan organized an authentic Pao Zhu Banquet with his fellow villagers. Far more than just a meal, the event offered guests a warm window into China’s rural traditions and the tangible progress of its revitalization efforts.
At dawn, smoke curled from makeshift stoves as villagers busily prepared fresh pork, chopped vegetables, and set long tables under open skies. There were no fancy decorations—just genuine hospitality. Ms. He Yunhua, 53, brought out her prized cured pork, smoked slowly over cypress branches for a full year. “If we’re going to showcase our hometown,” she said with a smile, “we must offer the very best.”
The feast featured hearty dishes like freshly made pig-blood soup, home-style stir-fries, and fermented pickles—all staples of northern Sichuan farm cuisine. Holding a steaming bowl of Pao Zhu Tang (Butchered Pig Soup), Secretary Lei explained its origins: “In the old days, slaughtering the annual pig was a community affair. Neighbors would gather to help, and the host family would cook a big pot of soup with the freshest meat, blood, and offal to thank everyone. This bowl carries not just flavor—but deep human connection and hometown sentiment.”
Around the table sat elders, children, locals, and tourists from afar—including Yang Xingchun, who traveled all the way from Jiangsu Province. “I’d heard about this northern Sichuan tradition,” he said, sipping the hot broth, “but experiencing it firsthand is something else. This warmth, this laughter—it’s what celebrating the New Year should feel like.”
After the meal, guests headed to the village’s citrus orchard to pick golden, ripe oranges—a hands-on experience that turned cultural immersion into something tangible. From taste (“palate”) to touch (“fingertips”), the day offered a full-sensory journey through rural China’s past and present.
As night fell, Lei and his neighbors gathered around a crackling fire, discussing plans for their village’s future. What began as a simple banquet had become a celebration of heritage, community, and the quiet yet powerful transformation taking place in China’s countryside.
(By Zhao Qi and Zhan Lei)
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