Urban Baotou residents select agricultural products at Xinian Farm. [Photo/Baotou news network]

The Fifth Winter Food Festival at Xinian Farm in Tumd Right Banner kicked off on Nov 22, drawing over 300 residents to savor hometown delicacies and embrace the warmth of winter traditions.

The bustling market greeted visitors, its stalls brimming with local produce, including steamed tofu, fresh pork, handmade noodles, soft buns, and fragrant sesame oil. Villagers called out to customers, sliced meat, bagged goods, and weighed produce. Wang Haiquan from Dachengxi village brought four grain-fed pigs, totaling nearly 600 kilograms. By noon, all the meat was sold out.

Behind the stalls, massive cauldrons simmered with hearty pork dishes, their aroma wafting through the crisp air. Chefs tossed pork, noodles, and sauerkraut over roaring fires, alongside local chicken and Yellow River fish, creating flavors of home.

As dishes were cooked, the stage came alive with traditional performances, folk opera, dance, and instrumental music, captivating the crowd as applause and cheers rippled throughout the audience.

By midday, long tables filled with tender pork, perfectly balanced between lean and fat, paired with tangy sauerkraut, offered a taste that was both rich and refreshing – a fitting reward for a year's hard work.

Blending culture, cuisine, and community spirit, Tumd Right Banner continues to turn its winter traditions into a feast for the senses.