Zhoushan specialties and cultural products gain popularity

Spring Festival travelers leaving Zhoushan in East China's Zhejiang province are filling their suitcases with local specialties and cultural products, turning the island city's flavors and creative goods into popular take-home gifts.

Among the most sought-after delicacies are red paste-marinated swimming crab, a locally sourced signature dish known for its bright color and tender, savory taste, and a staple on dining tables across Zhoushan.

Red paste-marinated swimming crab. [Photo/The official news website of Zhoushan]

A variety of processed seafood snacks, including shredded squid, grilled fish fillets, dried fish, and roasted shrimp, are also favored for their rich flavors, shaped by sea air and sunshine.

Traditional pastries, such as Guanyin cakes, are handmade with fillings like taro, seaweed, and red bean paste, offering a light sweetness and delicate texture. Wojingtan cakes are appreciated for their chewy yet non-sticky texture, whereas Jintang sesame cakes, baked until golden and coated with sesame seeds, are widely chosen for family visits and festive gatherings.

Guanyin cakes. [Photo/The official news website of Zhoushan]

Cultural and creative products have also gained traction, with seafood plush toys reinterpreting marine elements in playful forms and refrigerator magnets inspired by city landmarks presenting architectural heritage through compact designs.