Shandong attracts Spring Festival crowds with pancakes

The memorial hall in the Hedong district of Linyi city – located in East China's Shandong province – organized a hands on pancake-making event during the recent Spring Festival, drawing in the crowds with the quirky addition.

The initiative aimed to immerse visitors in the local history and celebrate the enduring Yimeng spirit, which originated from the local Yimeng Mountain area in Shandong province.

This spirit is characterized by values such as hard work, self-improvement, selflessness and dedication – inspiring generations of  people to create a better life for themselves.

As the enticing aroma of freshly cooked pancakes wafted through the air, tourists were captivated by the process of their creation.

Elsewhere, other visitors delved into the historical context of these special treats, which were a main staple of the diet of local people during the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949).

A boy takes great care to make a pancake. [Photo by Min Dexia for chinadaily.com.cn]

"Bringing my child here was about allowing him to step into the shoes of the past and understand the challenges our predecessors faced," said a local resident.

In addition to the hands-on pancake experience, the memorial hall presented a display of images and narratives to let visitors connect with the wartime experiences of the local Yimeng people.

"We aim to attract more visitors to experience our vibrant red culture and ensure the enduring legacy of our revolutionary predecessors," said Yue Lili, deputy director of the Hedong District Party Education Base Management Service Center. (Edited by Zhou Yunlai)