【Sister Cities Chronicle】A Canal Ancient City Filled with Chinese New Year Vibe — A Family Reunion Feast to Celebrate Spring Festival

Tai'erzhuang Ancient City

In Tai'erzhuang Ancient City, Zaozhuang, Chinese New Year's Eve dinner is all about authentic flavors from southern Shandong, with every dish carrying auspicious wishes for the coming year. Zaozhuang spicy chicken delivers a bold, fiery aroma that awakens the palate; Sixi Meatballs, round and plump, symbolize the gathering of fortune, prosperity, longevity, and happiness; The Grand Canal carp, tender and flavorful, represents the blessing of "surplus year after year". There are also innovative dishes inspired by the town's water-town heritage, thoughtfully balancing different tastes so the reunion feast is filled with the comforting flavors of hometown. Come to Tai'erzhuang Ancient City, immerse yourself in traditional courtyard architecture, and gather joyfully around a warm stove amidst the charm of bygone years; sit beside the Grand Canal, letting the warmth of your Chinese New Year's Eve dinner be enriched with the poetic grace of a water town.

Chinese New Year's Eve dinner in Tai'erzhuang Ancient City

What's more, having Chinese New Year's Eve dinner in Tai'erzhuang Ancient City is a fully immersive Spring Festival cultural experience. During the holiday, dazzling lantern displays illuminate the night, lively temple fairs animate ancient alleys, and traditional folk performances take turns on stage. Stalls brim with special purchases for the Spring Festival and local snacks. After the reunion feast, families stroll along stone-paved lanes, admire lanterns along the Grand Canal, browse the ancient town markets, and soak in the rich Chinese New Year traditions—capturing unforgettable moments of togetherness amid the timeless charm of the ancient city.