Huamo, steamed buns adorned with intricate floral patterns, are crafted across various regions in China in anticipation of the Spring Festival, symbolizing aspirations for a prosperous new year.

The incredible video was filmed in Lanzhou City in Gansu Province.

Ma Rui, a Huamo maker, said: "As the Year of the Dragon approaches, we've prepared two versions of Huamo for the New Year. This one serves as a prototype—a dragon-shaped bun named "Golden Dragon Greeting the Spring," entirely edible. Another variant, embellished with vibrant red hues, is named "Dragon Bringing Good Luck."

"There's a growing fondness for traditional folk arts like Huamo as people rediscover and appreciate their cultural heritage."

STORY: Locals steam colorful buns to greet Spring Festival in NW China
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Feb. 5, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:42
LOCATION: LANZHOU, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of steamed buns
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): MA RUI, Huamo maker
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): MA RUI, Huamo maker

STORYLINE:

Huamo, steamed buns with elaborate flowery decorations, are made in many parts of China ahead of the Spring Festival to wish for a better life in the new year. 
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): MA RUI, Huamo maker
"The Year of the Dragon is coming. We made two versions of Huamo for the New Year. This one is a sample. It's a dragon-shaped bun named Golden Dragon Greeting the Spring, and it's all edible. There is another one that looks more festive with the red color. This one is called Dragon Bringing Good Luck. For this, we adopted the design of the Nine-Dragon Screen wall in the Palace Museum to make a flat dragon pattern. These two colors look very festive together."
    
SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): MA RUI, Huamo maker
"In recent years, steamed buns are widely used in many celebration activities, such as birthday parties for the elderly, engagement ceremonies for young couples and 100-day celebrations of babies. People become more fond of traditional folk arts, including Huamo."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lanzhou, China.
(XHTV)