People across China are marking the Winter Solstice, or Dongzhi, by gathering with family and neighbours to enjoy traditional dishes that reflect regional tastes while sharing the same warmth of reunion.

Falling on December 21 this year, the Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and signals the arrival of deep winter. In northern China, dumplings remain the centrepiece. In Shandong’s Tai’an, nearly 1,000 villagers gathered to make and share dumplings with varied fillings, creating what one resident described as “not only craftsmanship but also friendship”. Coastal Jiangsu adds local flair with octopus dumplings, while Xuzhou favours hearty beef or mutton to keep out the cold.

In southern China, glutinous rice balls, or tangyuan, are widely enjoyed, symbolising health and harmony for the year ahead. Elsewhere, families savour lamb in Qinghai, sticky rice bean buns in Heilongjiang, crispy pork soup in Anhui, and freshly made brown sugar candy in Fujian – all celebrating the season with flavours of home.

Source: China Central Television