Pingyao smoked meat is an indispensable dish for locals at banquets and it is also hugely popular with tourists. It is smoked from burning cypress tree sawdust and the Cao family's version is particularly renowned among the varieties of Pingyao smoked meat. In particular, Cao family's smoked gammon once won favor with imperial family and with officials during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). [Photo/pingyao.gov.cn]