Welcome guests with delicious food at the event.

　　By Wang Yujing, Quanzhou Converged Media Reporter | Photos by Lei Yimiao, Yang Hua, and Zhuang Xiaofang

　　Quanzhou, September 29 — Lights glittered and crowds gathered at Qian'ou Park Square in Tuling Town, Quangang District, as the 9th Tuling Pork Knuckle Food Festival and the "Impressions of Tuling" Fujian Provincial Photography Exhibition opened in lively fashion on September 27.

　　As one of the key warm-up events for Quanzhou's "Beautiful Life Consumption Season," this cultural-tourism celebration combined "one signature dish, one countryside banquet, one photography showcase, and one village gala" into a multisensory experience that filled the millennium-old ancient post road with the aroma of slow-braised delicacies. Blending flavor and culture, the event set the stage for China's upcoming National Day and Mid-Autumn holidays while demonstrating Quanzhou's commitment to boosting consumption and revitalizing its rural economy.

　　A Heritage Dish Becomes a Modern Economic Engine

　　With the host's lively call of "Dinner is served!", the event began with the signature local specialty Tuling Pork Knuckle, a dish that originated along the ancient Song-Yuan post road and was inscribed as a Quanzhou Intangible Cultural Heritage item in 2016. Now a culinary symbol of the city's consumption season, it headlined the "Chinese Countryside Banquet – Tuling Post-Station Feast."

　　More than a dozen signature dishes—including "Golden Hoof of Honor," "Sunset on the Post Road," and "Flavors of Mountain and Sea"—were all crafted with locally sourced ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. Each dish told a story of Tuling's history, culture, and people. During the banquet's traditional "dish-naming" ceremony, hosts introduced the origin, health benefits, and cultural significance of each creation, giving diners a fully immersive taste of local heritage—and a flavorful boost to holiday spending.

　　That same day, the Yiban Expressway Service Area was officially designated the "China (Tuling) Countryside Banquet Hospitality Center." This new multi-functional venue connects the highway economy with rural cultural tourism, serving as a "new window" into Quanzhou's drive to stimulate consumption. Travelers can now enjoy authentic countryside feasts, purchase local farm products, and explore the history of the thousand-year-old post route—all turning passersby into repeat visitors.

　　According to local officials, the "Tuling Pork Knuckle" brand has catalyzed a cluster of food-processing enterprises and farm-stay restaurants. Holiday spending on dining, accommodation, and retail in surrounding areas is expected to rise by over 30 percent year-on-year during the festival period.

　　Culture in Motion: From Photography to Performance

　　At the "Impressions of Tuling" Provincial Photography Exhibition, more than 100 photographs captured the scenic charm of "Quangang – Hometown of Longevity" and "Tuling – Fujian's Wellness Haven." Visitors admired evocative images such as the oil-painting-like ancient homes of Zhangjiao Village. The Fujian Photographers Association awarded Zhangjiao the title of "Provincial Photography Destination," signaling Tuling's shift from festive tourism toward year-round cultural experiences that sustain local economic growth.

　　That evening, a "Village Gala" infused with Minnan (southern Fujian) flair brought the celebration to its peak. Performances such as "Flying Apsaras of Dunhuang," "The Moon Shines Bright Over My Hometown," "Harbor of Quanzhou," and the dance "The Voice of Tradition" delighted audiences and reflected the region's vibrant cultural life—further energizing cultural tourism and holiday consumption.

　　Festivities Continue: A Holiday Menu of Experiences

　　As a prelude to the National Day and Mid-Autumn holidays, Tuling has prepared a full lineup of cultural-tourism events:

　　Oct 1 – 3: "Under the Stars" Grassland Music Festival in Baitong Village brings nature-inspired rhythms to life.

　　Oct 1 – 8: "Ancient Post Road & Waterfall Wellness Tour" and Mongolian-style experiences launch in Xiaoba Village.

　　Oct 6: The "Bench Dragon Lantern" performance in Zhangjiao Village showcases local intangible-heritage artistry.

　　Oct 26: The inaugural "Dengfeng Cup" Healthy Run ignites sports enthusiasm among locals and visitors alike.

　　From Culinary Heritage to Sustainable Rural Revitalization

　　The 9th Tuling Pork Knuckle Food Festival not only serves as a prelude to Quanzhou's "Beautiful Life Consumption Season," but also stands as a vivid example of how the city leverages culinary heritage and cultural creativity to boost rural consumption and drive revitalization.

　　Organizers emphasized that Tuling will continue to use food as a bridge and culture as its heart, transforming its "poetic countryside" into tangible, experiential tourism products. As visitors savor local flavors and explore the scenic landscape, they also experience the renewed vitality of Quanzhou's countryside—where tradition and modernity meet at the dining table.