The Wanggezhuang area in Qingdao's Laoshan district is a renowned regional bakery hub for mantou, the traditional steamed bun that is a staple food for millions of people in northern China.

The Wanggezhuang mantou festival is celebrated on Oct 24. [Video provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A festival was held on Oct 24 to promote the local delicacy, with a series of activities such as competitions to make steamed buns, tourism and cultural promotions and special local products sales taking place.

Many mantou shops in the area still adhere to traditional production methods which date back more than 500 years. According to the traditional method, bakers mix wheat meal and spring water from Laoshan Mountain to create dough. They then use their hands to knead the dough before steaming it on traditional wood burners.

Buns made in this area are in high demand both at home and abroad as they are rich in minerals and full of nutrients.

The steamed buns can be made in various patterns with colorful decorations and are commonly used in folklore activities such as sacrificial rituals, celebrations and traditional festivals. Auspicious figures such as mandarin duck, carp, dragon, phoenix and peach are often seen on these buns as they symbolize good luck, blessings, peace, longevity and prosperity.

According to official statistics, there are more than 160 steamed bread merchants in Wanggezhuang. In 2020, the area produced 14,800 tons of steamed bread and generated an output value of about 119 million yuan ($18.65 million).

The Wanggezhuang mantou festival is held on Oct 24. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Steamed buns in different shapes are displayed during a competition of the Wanggezhuang mantou festival. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Residents sample Wanggezhuang steamed buns. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Steamed buns with decorative patterns are seen in Wanggezhuang. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Steamed buns in Wanggezhuang [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A steamed bun with an auspicious meaning [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]