The Zheng He Family Banquet opens in style

　　Quanzhou.net, July 10 — Baiqi Hui Ethnic Township recently hosted its Zheng He Family Banquet, an event combining local cuisine, history and cultural activities. Inspired by Quanzhou's Maritime Silk Road heritage, the programme recreated scenes from the Ming dynasty and highlighted the longstanding ties between different communities in Baiqi.

　　The banquet is one of Quanzhou's best-known Maritime Silk Road cultural attractions. According to local accounts, its origins date to 1417, the 15th year of the Yongle Emperor's reign, when Zheng He was undertaking his fifth voyage to the Indian Ocean. During a stop in Quanzhou, he is said to have visited Baiqi and met Guo Zhongyuan, regarded as the founding ancestor of the township's Hui Guo community.

　　The Guo family welcomed Zheng He with a banquet featuring produce from both the mountains and the sea. The occasion subsequently became part of Baiqi's local heritage and has been commemorated for generations.

　　Over the centuries, the banquet has evolved through changing customs and culinary traditions. Today, it serves not only as a meal but also as a celebration of Quanzhou's maritime history and Baiqi's multicultural heritage. It has also become an important cultural-tourism attraction for Baiqi and the Quanzhou Taiwan Investment Zone.

　　Period-style sets and furnishings created the atmosphere of a Ming-dynasty reception at this year's event. Alongside the banquet, performers staged Receiving the Official and Escorting the Bride, a historical drama based on local stories associated with Zheng He and the Guo family. The performance gave visitors an introduction to Baiqi's history and the interaction between its communities.

　　A market featuring local products and traditions was also held, where visitors could make handicrafts and learn more about Baiqi's traditional skills.

　　Compared with previous editions, this year's event placed greater emphasis on public participation and cultural activities. It expanded the traditional banquet format to include food tasting, hands-on experiences, educational programmes and performances.

　　"I am honoured to have been able to attend the banquet," said Guo Yinghui, who returned to his hometown for the event. "I was delighted to see so many people from home and to taste the food I grew up with."

　　"We hope the event will help more people learn about Baiqi, the Jieguan Pavilion and the historical connections between Baiqi and Zheng He," a township official said.

　　Baiqi plans to continue developing programmes based on its local cultural heritage and strengthening the links between traditional culture and tourism. Through events such as the Zheng He Family Banquet, the township hopes to preserve its Maritime Silk Road heritage and pass its stories on to future generations.

　　By Guo Fangrong and Chen Jiaxin, multimedia reporters