This photo taken on Jan. 10, 2024 shows Yang Qinfeng's signature "Happy New Year" cake at his studio in Liantang Town of Qingpu District of Shanghai, east China. Zhuang Rice Cake, made with sticky rice and polished round-grained rice, is a representative of Liantang Rice Cake, whose making craft has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage of Qingpu District in Shanghai.

In the hearts of local people, the cake is not only a must-have during the lunar new year, but also a hometown snack reminding them where they come from.

Yang Qinfeng, 43, is the fourth generation inheritor of the making craft of Zhuang Rice Cake. His great grandfather, once making a living on the sales of the cakes, passed down the craft in his family.

Once working as an architecture designer in the city of Shanghai, Yang missed his life in the countryside and returned to his hometown in 2012 to start his own business.

Based on the traditional making technique from his great grandfather, Yang set up his own brand and studio. He often holds various experience events, in an effort to bring the traditional food back to the tables of modern people.

With the approaching of the Spring Festival, his signature "Happy New Year" cake once again becomes a hot snack for the beautiful meaning it conveys. [Xinhua/Liu Ying]