In an exclusive interview, we explore the vibrant village of Guifeng in Youxi County, Sanming City, during the golden season of autumn, which is an ideal time to experience the local tradition of “sun-drying.”
Guifeng Village, founded during the Southern Song Dynasty, is celebrated for its breathtaking landscape often described as a “mystical realm in the mountains.” It stands out as one of the best-preserved ancient villages in Fujian Province. In recent years, local authorities have focused on balancing preservation with development, enhancing tourism infrastructure and enriching rural tourism experiences. This commitment paid off in 2018 when the village was designated a national 4A-level tourist attraction.
One of the village’s most notable traditions, known as “sun-drying,” begins around the Autumn Equinox and continues until the end of December. From an observation deck, visitors can marvel at the picturesque scenes of harvest: villagers hang golden corn from eaves, while drying racks are filled with rice, pumpkins, and red peppers. “We’ve been hosting the Sun-Drying Festival since 2016, and it has become a significant draw for tourists,” says village official Cai Wenming. “This year, we had numerous inquiries from tourists through social media and phone calls even before the festival commenced.”
In a local candy workshop, the sweet scent of malt sugar wafts through the air as a cast-iron pot simmers with boiling syrup. Workshop owner Cai Xun engages fascinated visitors, offering samples of his homemade malt sugar while explaining its production process and benefits.
According to “The Intangible Cultural Heritage Atlas of Youxi County,” Cai Xun’s family has a rich history, with the technique of making malt sugar being passed down through 28 generations since it was introduced by Cai Xiang, a renowned Northern Song statesman. At 51, Cai Xun represents the 28th generation of this craft, which was recognized in March 2020 as part of Sanming City’s representative list of intangible cultural heritage.
Cai Xun elaborates on the intricate process of making malt sugar, which involves six steps: sprouting, crushing, steaming glutinous rice, fermenting, pressing, and boiling. “Making malt sugar is labor-intensive. I typically start the fermentation process the night before around 8 PM, rise at 3 AM to press the ingredients, and spend nearly 18 hours each day on this task,” he shares, showcasing the golden syrup that is ready when it can cling to a spatula.
In addition to malt sugar, Cai and his wife also create specialty products like malt wine, sugarcane wine, and sugarcane vinegar, along with selling beverages and toys. “My malt wine recipe is unique, made only with malt and glutinous rice, which many customers enjoy,” he explains, noting that the workshop generated around 300,000 yuan in revenue last year through their bundled sales strategy.
As rural tourism thrives, local incomes have increased. Nearby, at the Xishan Hanfu Studio beside Shiyin Bridge in Guifeng Village, tourists form long lines. Owner Cai Ji returned from Xiamen in 2022 to establish the first dedicated photography studio in the village. “I rented an entire ancient residence; the first floor serves as a studio for makeup, costume rental, photography, and editing services, while the second floor features a guesthouse with five rooms,” he details. During the National Day holiday, Hanfu-themed shoots proved particularly popular, drawing dozens of visitors daily.
Cai Yuefang, owner of a century-old tofu workshop, describes how her family has built a loyal customer base over the years. “My husband and I wake up at 3 AM to make tofu. During holidays, we grind over 50 kilograms of soybeans and sell hundreds of bowls of tofu pudding daily. Our vacuum-packed marinated tofu has become a ‘viral’ product shipped across the country,” she notes, smiling as she serves silky tofu to customers.
In recent years, through a blend of culture and tourism, Guifeng Village has earned multiple accolades, including “Chinese Historical and Cultural Village,” “National Ecological Village,” “China’s Most Charming Leisure Village,” and “Key Rural Tourism Village.” In the first half of this year alone, Guifeng welcomed 186,000 visitors, generating nearly 60 million yuan in tourism spending.
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