In the ancient city of Nanjing, when autumn arrives and the air fills with the delicate fragrance of osmanthus flowers, locals know it’s time for a bowl of osmanthus taro soup (桂花糖芋苗) – a humble, heartwarming dessert that has been comforting souls for over a thousand years. Known locally as tang yu miao (糖芋苗),…
In Nanjing, there’s a saying that captures the city’s soul: “No duck can ever leave Nanjing alive.” It’s a joke, but it’s grounded in truth. This ancient capital, once known as Jinling, consumes an astonishing number of ducks each year. And at the heart of this duck devotion is one dish: Nanjing salted duck…
— Li Qi In the eighth moon the weed cold grows, The autumn waves surge with white crest. The mast shivers as north wind blows; Why should my guest go to the west? The rain no longer drizzles on hilltop; Out of the door rises the evening tide. At night along the beach my…
— Li Bai The cool breeze blows on silent night in Town of Stone, To view the south I mount the high tower alone. White clouds and city walls mirrored on ripples swoon; Dewdrops look like pearls dripping from the autumn moon. Crooning long, I won’t go back; drowned in moon rays; How few…