Slow Talk from Fuli | The Winter Solstice is as significant as the New Year, a little reunion in Luzhi.-Luzhi Tourism_Luzhi Ancient Town 4A-level Tourist Scenic Area

　　Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice. In Luzhi, there has long been a saying that “the Winter Solstice is as important as the New Year,” a tradition that dates back more than three thousand years. The sons of King Tai of the Zhou dynasty, Taibo and Zhongyong, fled to Wu and, following the Zhou calendar, celebrated the beginning of the new year at the Winter Solstice.

　　Although the calendar has changed, the custom of “the winter solstice is as important as the New Year” has endured. As the solstice arrives, people pay homage to their ancestors, enjoy tangyuan (sweet rice balls), sip winter‑brewed wine, and share a reunion dinner—celebrating this day when “yang energy is reborn and spring returns” with the warm, everyday rhythms of life. These time‑honored traditions and exquisite dishes reflect the profound cultural heritage of the land and its people, illuminate the spirit of familial togetherness at the winter solstice, and lend this natural seasonal milestone an enduring humanistic charm.

Winter Solstice dumplings, savoring the fragrant aroma of glutinous rice together.

　　On the Winter Solstice, how could one do without a bowl of seasonal tangyuan? Snow-white glutinous rice flour is kneaded into a soft wrapper, stuffed with filling, and shaped into plump, round dumplings. The “tangyuan” symbolizes family reunion, and as they simmer in the pot, they bring forth the ultimate taste of togetherness.

Bite into the chewy outer skin, and the savory filling bursts forth with an irresistible aroma; the delicate red bean paste is as smooth as molten custard, while the radish‑shredded filling offers a uniquely refreshing fragrance. These handmade Winter Solstice dumplings are wrapped in heartfelt care.

Winter brew, let’s savor this fine, mellow wine together.

　　Drinking winter‑brewed wine on the Winter Solstice is a unique custom of Suzhou. Made from seasonal glutinous rice, this wine is further enhanced with fragrant osmanthus blossoms. It boasts a clear, pale yellow hue; with each sip, it delivers a crisp, refreshing taste that lingers sweetly, its rich aroma subtly tinged with the delicate fragrance of osmanthus.

Though winter-brewed wine is smooth and mild, sipping a couple of mouthfuls on the chilly winter solstice allows its warmth to radiate from within, enveloping you in an enduring sense of comfort.

On the winter solstice night, let us gather for a reunion feast.

　　On the eve of the winter solstice, a sumptuous family reunion feast—brimming with festive flair—must be prepared to mark the season’s arrival. Long lines snake in front of the braised‑food shops on the old street, while the scent of home wafts from every household, mingling with the rising smoke of cooking fires.

The quintessential Suzhou-style hot pot, richly braised dishes with a deep, glossy red hue, and an array of auspiciously symbolic dishes all convey the festive spirit of a small family reunion, while also highlighting the refined artistry of Suzhou cuisine.

　Water chestnuts hidden in the rice are “digging for ingots,” tender winter bamboo shoots symbolize “rising higher with each step,” bean sprouts shaped like a ruyi scepter are called “ruyi vegetables,” and vermicelli is known as the “golden chain”... The entire table brims with dishes that complement one another, celebrating the festive spirit of “the Winter Solstice, as grand as New Year.”

Eat winter candy, and share the sweet warmth of everyday life.

　　In the old days during winter, street vendors would carry small gongs and hawk candy—known in the Wu region as “winter sugar,” or the “candy‑selling gong.” They offered not only zongzi candy and scallion‑tube candy, but also molded the still‑soft confection into figures of people, animals, and plants.

These days, when you visit Luzhi, be sure to stop by the Zhuang family candy shop and savor their crystal‑clear zongzi candies, fragrant with the subtle aroma of pine nuts. You can also wander the old street in search of sugar paintings—sketch a soaring dragon against the sky and relive the joys of your childhood.

The taste of the food

Family reunion

The warmth of family love

That is the true meaning of the winter solstice.

Winter Solstice | The Winter Solstice is as significant as the New Year, and its greatest delight is reunion.

Luzhi Tourism Company conscientiously conveyed and studied the spirit of the town’s strategic planning meeting.