Get to know Dōngběi (part 2)

Cuisine

Dōngběi (东北) is well-known for its distinctive culinary style. While many dishes are originated from the Manchu cuisine, it also incorporates the cookery of different nations’ cuisine: from Beijing’s imperial kitchen’s roast duck, to beef and dairy from Inner Mongolia, flatbreads and roasts from the Muslim northwest, and Korean dishes in the northeast.

The main dishes are centered around meat, accompanied by a wide range of fresh pickled vegetables, and differently from the mainland, Dōngběi-style food mostly uses wheat and corn instead of rice.

As Northern people are known for being generous and very hospitable, the dishes are generally served in big portions. Furthermore, the dishes are characterized by a strong flavor, seasoned with salt and strong spices, in contrast with Southern china, where dishes are lighter in flavor.

Attractions

The territory offers a wide range of attractions, from the many cities displaying a combination of Chinese and European architecture styles to beautiful natural landscapes.

Harbin

Harbin is the capital city of the Heilongjiang Province and is China’s northmost metropolitan city. It is called by many as the “Oriental Moscow” or the “Oriental Paris”, as it displays a mix of Chinese architecture with the European and Russian ones. The Central Street, the main business road, is filled with Baroque and Byzantine façades, with little Russian bakeries and French fashion houses, as well as non-European architectural styles: American eateries, and Japanese restaurants.

The city is not only known for its characteristic architectural style, but also for its well-known winter tourism and recreations, hence the label “ice city”. The Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is an event you mustn’t miss in Harbin. It is the largest ice and snow festival in the world. During the festival, ice lantern park touring activities are held in many parks in the city, and many exhibition areas featuring the world’s biggest ice sculptures.

The Beach of Panjin

The beach of Panjin is situated in the region of Liaoning. It is labeled as the “Red Beach“, since you are allowed to walk across and enjoy a natural crimson-colored scenario.

The phenomenon is caused by a type of red plant called Suaeda. While it starts out as a shade of green during the summer, it gradually changes color, turning vividly red in autumn, making the beach one of the most appreciated natural landmarks worldwide.

Credits to: Yao Tong and Riccardo Hu