Savoring Zongzi: a must during Dragon Boat Festival

The news was updated on June 5, 2019.

Two women display their hand-made Zongzi at the Zhuanxin market in Kunming, Yunnan province, June 1.  Two women display their hand-made Zongzi at the Zhuanxin market in Kunming, Yunnan province, June 1. 

One after another crowds of Kunming citizens have begun to flush into Zhuanxin – the city’s largest wet market – this week to buy Zongzi for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival on June 7.

Zongzi, also known as the sticky rice dumpling, is a traditional food popular during the Dragon Boat Festival, whose origin can be dated back to at least 300 BC.

Available in the market are Zongzis stuffed with a variety of ingredients: ham, minced pork, egg yolk, dates, char siu, and others. 

Beside the local ones, special Zongzis imported from Yunnan’s neighboring Guizhou province, and even Thailand and Vietnam are visible at the Kunming market. 

Elder Ladies make Zongzi with smile on their faces. Elder Ladies make Zongzi with smile on their faces.

Consumers select leaves to wrap Zongzi. Consumers select leaves to wrap Zongzi.

An elderly buys Zongzi from a girl wearing the Bai ethnic costume. An elderly buys Zongzi from a girl wearing the Bai ethnic costume.

Giant Zongzis from Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province, draw attention of consumers. Giant Zongzis from Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province, draw attention of consumers.

Consumers keep their eyes on Zongzi in the bustling market.  Consumers keep their eyes on Zongzi in the bustling market. 

A woman stuffs the Zongzi leaf box with sticky rice.  A woman stuffs the Zongzi leaf box with sticky rice. 

Two young vendors promote their Guizhou-style Zongzi to the passerby.  Two young vendors promote their Guizhou-style Zongzi to the passerby.