Nestled on Chamahuajie at the foot of Western Mountain by Dianchi Lake in Kunming City, Yunnan Province, there is a place where people can enjoy a unique and elegant experience known as the "Tang Dynasty Afternoon Tea" at the workshop of Ruan Zhimin, a master craftsman in the art of Tang Dynasty confections making.

Tang Dynasty confections under the wild mushroom theme.

Tang Dynasty confections under the flower theme.

Tang Dynasty confections, a traditional craft dating back to the Tang Dynasty in China, are known for their delicate and small shape and bright and colourful colours. Tang Dynasty confections are made from high quality white kidney beans, which are soaked and peeled, ground into a bean paste and excess water removed in 20 steps. Based on the traditional craftsmanship of the Tang Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty confections are kneaded, pinched, pressed, pushed, cut and folded, and the traditional tools are used to copy the scenery of birds and flowers, and the Tang Dynasty confections are delicately carved and densely packed.

Delicate, compact shapes and vibrant, eye-catching colours.

Tang Dynasty confections with"Kureyama Purple" Theme.

Yunnan is known as the "Kingdom of Animals" "Kingdom of Plants" "Garden of the World" and "Gene Pool of Species". Among these, Yunnan's flowers are famous all over the world, and Yunnan is also a "gathering place for wild mushroom fanatics". During summer, wild mushrooms become a local culinary highlight, and Yunnan is known as a hotspot for wild mushroom enthusiasts. In this context, Ruan Zhimin, a representative inheritor of Xishan District's intangible cultural heritage of Tang Dynasty confections-making techniques, has cleverly combined Tang Dynasty confections with Yunnan's flowers, wild mushrooms and other specialities, not only injecting fresh energy into traditional non-heritage techniques, but also giving non-heritage culture new vitality and vigour in modern life.

Tang Dynasty confections with Lotus flower series.

A batch of Tang Dynasty confections packed and ready to be shipped.

With the skilled hands of Ruan's studio team, Tang Dynasty confections use white kidney beans from Tuanjie Township, Xishan District, resulting in themed gift boxes like "The Twelve Flower Gods" "Yunnan Wild Mushrooms" and "Modern Chinese Weddings." 

Tang Dynasty confections with new Chinese marriage theme.

Visitors to the site said that this innovative combination was not only refreshing, but also gave people a taste of Yunnan's unique natural flavour and non-heritage culture while enjoying the food. Ruan Zhimin stated: “By combining traditional skills with modern ingredients, the non-heritage culture has been able to come closer to modern life and reach out to the people. In the future, we will continue to carry forward the culture and romance of Chinese aesthetics.” (Photo provided by Ruan Zhimin Workshop)

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(Editors: Renna, Rachel)