1,500 kg of free Yuanxiao to celebrate Chinese Lantern Festival

A total of 1500 kilograms of Yuanxiao or Tangyuan, sweet dumplings made of glutinous rice flour, were provided free of charge to local residents at a lantern show in Lushunkou district, Dalian city, North China’s Liaoning province, on March 2.

The day marked the Chinese Lantern Festival, which is traditionally celebrated by holding lantern fairs, solving lantern riddles and eating Yuanxiao. The sweet stuffing and round shape of Yuanxiao symbolizes family unity, completeness and happiness.

Cooks made Yuanxiao in a huge pot with a diameter of 9.9 meters and a depth of 1.2 meters. 

Additionally, nearly 20 stalls were set up alongside the activity, where colorful lanterns and special food were on display.

A cook makes Yuanxiao, sweet dumplings made of glutinous rice flour, beside a huge pot at a lantern show in Lushunkou district, Dalian city, North China’s Liaoning province, on March 2. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A cook serves freshly-made Yuanxiao with a huge ladle at a lantern show in Lushunkou district, Dalian city, North China’s Liaoning province, on March 2. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A crane lifts a huge pot cover in preparation for a Yuanxiao feast at a lantern show in Lushunkou district, Dalian city, North China’s Liaoning province, on March 2. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]