On March 3, the 15th day of the first lunar month, Qianjin Village in Badong Town, Dechang County, hosted its annual Caoba Market—a once-a-year event. By early morning, as the sun cast its first light, the entire village was already bustling with activity, as residents from across the county and visitors from afar poured in, forming a flowing river of people.

The marketplace scene

This traditional market, dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, opens only on the Lantern Festival. Streets and alleys were packed shoulder to shoulder, with the most irresistible attraction being the mouthwatering aromas: stalls selling Dechang rice noodle rolls were surrounded by eager diners, as vendors skillfully spread rice sheets, wrap them around shredded kelp and pickled mustard greens, and drizzle on a secret blend of chili oil—resulting in a smooth, tender, and refreshing bite that leaves one salivating. Crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside fried potatoes sizzled in hot oil, while freshly steamed pillow-shaped sticky rice cakes offered a fluffy sweetness. Strolling through the market meant feasting on authentic local flavors at every turn.

The marketplace scene

The Caoba Market also serves as a living museum of rural heritage. Fresh vegetables and fruits still glistening with dew, handwoven bamboo baskets and containers, wild-harvested honey, and locally brewed grain liquor filled the stalls in abundance. Amid cheerful haggling, shoppers carried away not just goods but also the vibrant spirit of Dechang's countryside. "This backpack basket is handwoven—sturdy—and sells for 50 yuan." said 72-year-old Mr. Liu, who began learning bamboo weaving at age ten and has attended the market for decades. "When I was young, I came here to trade for grain and farm tools; now, I come for the festive joy and lively atmosphere."

The marketplace scene

This year's market added a cinematic dimension. At the former silkworm cocoon station.

Delicacies at the Market

【本文部分内容由AI辅助生成，特此声明。The author(s) generated part of the content in this work with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), which is hereby declared.】