Daojiao's Signature Zongzi Brings Festive Flavor to Guangdong Celebrations

As the Dragon Boat Festival draws near, Daojiao Town in southern Guangdong Province becomes awash with the comforting scent of zongzi, the traditional sticky rice dumpling. Throughout the winding waterways of the town, residents prepare the renowned "guo zheng zong"—not only an essential festive treat, but also an embodiment of Daojiao's cultural legacy and regional pride. For the local community, the act of wrapping and steaming zongzi is a ritual deeply entwined with heritage, connecting generations through shared flavors and stories.

Daojiao zongzi has achieved recognition as an intangible cultural heritage of Guangdong Province, thanks to its exacting craft and memorable taste. Passed down and refined through the decades, the culinary know-how behind this beloved snack has become a signature feature of Dongguan's food culture. Each zongzi represents not just the skill of its maker, but the enduring spirit of the town itself.

The tradition dates back nearly a century. In the 1930s, an enterprising local named Ye Chao elevated zongzi-making by meticulously adjusting both ingredients and technique, establishing a new benchmark for taste and texture. Today, Daojiao zongzi stays true to his vision. The process begins with two supple bamboo leaves, expertly folded into a sturdy funnel. Layers of glutinous rice, mung beans, hearty pork belly, salted egg yolk, and more are compacted inside, before the bundle is wrapped tightly with additional leaves and bound with the resilient stems of Daojiao’s native Cyperus malaccensis. The resulting pyramid steams over wood-fired stoves, filling homes with a nostalgic aroma that signals festival time.

The art of zongzi-making in Daojiao continues to adapt and flourish. While the classic savory combination remains a perennial favorite, innovation has brought about a vibrant variety of new flavors. Modern twists—including fillings like cheese, tangerine peel, and curry—sit beside traditional recipes during the festival, reflecting changing palates while safeguarding the dish’s roots. No matter the filling, the spirit of family, remembrance, and local pride endures within every leaf-wrapped parcel, uniting the people of Daojiao each year in celebration and community.