Global Influencer Wowed by Allure of Jiangjin

In the studio of the Cultural Creative Center of Jade Carving Masters in Jiangjin, Chongqing, American video blogger Joey Reed held his breath as he watched the master thread smooth, lustrous jade beads with silk string. “This is so beautiful. I’ve never worn a jade bracelet before!” exclaimed Joey. In that moment, a cultural exchange crossing the Pacific quietly unfolded in Jiangjin, Chongqing.

On July 20, Joey Reed, who boasts a million TikTok followers, joined Chinese influencer Dujiao SHOW (with over 40 million Douyin followers) on a cultural journey to Jiangjin District, Chongqing. Together, they marveled at Jiangjin Jade, a 150-million-year geological wonder, savored the century-old intangible cultural heritage (ICH), the candied cake of popped rice, and feasted on the grand banquet tradition of “Eight Dishes,” immersing themselves in the district’s unique charm.

Jiangjin Jade: 150-million-year-old Geological Legend at Fingertips

Exquisitely carved Jiangjin Jade pieces were neatly displayed at the Cultural Creative Center of Jade Carving Masters. Li Yanzhuo, Assistant to the General Manager of Chongqing Jiangjin Jade Cultural Industry Co., Ltd., introduced the origin and characteristics of Jiangjin Jade to Joey in detail. “Jiangjin Jade was formed about 150 million years ago. It is a rare twice-river-polished jade in China. It is rich in selenium, strontium, and other trace elements that are beneficial to the human body.”

Later, Joey experienced the hands-on process of stringing a bracelet. Under the staff member’s guidance, he carefully selected jade beads, experiencing the joy of handcrafting. When he finally wore his finished bracelet, a satisfied smile lit up his face. He remarked that it was not just an exquisite piece of jewelry, but also a meaningful embodiment of Jiangjin’s jade culture.

Sweet Memory: Century-old Brand’s Balance of Tradition and Innovation

Dujiao SHOW and Joey Reed made their way by vehicle to Chongqing Lotus Rice Flower Candy (Group) Co., Ltd., uncovering the secrets behind the candied cake of popped rice, an ICH-level delicacy. From stir-frying the rice and stewing the syrup to mixing, molding, and cutting the candied cake, each step embodied the inheritance of craftsmanship through generations.  Jiang Shangming, an inheritor of this craft, offered visitors freshly made pieces. “While honoring tradition, we’ve been continuously innovating,” explained Jiang, adding, “To meet modern health needs, we’ve developed a low-sugar version, which uses maltitol instead of sucrose.”

The sweet, fragrant rice melted on the tongue with just the right crispness. Dujiao SHOW gave a thumbs-up while tasting and saying, “I hope to bring this delicacy overseas so more people can savor this unique flavor from Jiangjin, China.”

Childhood Taste: Steaming “Eight Dishes”

The final stop of the journey brought Joey to the Heyan Hotel, where he sampled Jiangjin’s signature cuisine—”Eight Dishes.” As Jiangjin’s most iconic traditional banquet cuisine, the Eight Dishes—each with its distinctive flavor and implied meaning—are: Braised Pork in Jar, First Dish Rich in Selenium, Steamed Pork Slices with Red Bean Paste, Steamed Cured Meat, Steamed Vegetables with Rice Flour, Steamed Chicken with Herbs, Steamed Duck with Five Grains, and Steamed Fish with Tofu. The rich, aromatic dishes served one after another whetted everyone’s appetite. “This chicken is packed with flavor, and the way it’s cooked is really different from how we do it back home,” Joey commented as he tried each dish.

This journey by Dujiao SHOW and Joey Reed through Jiangjin was far more than a cultural experience—it resembled a vivid cultural bond. With Jiangjin Jade on one end and the candied cake of popped rice on the other, this “bond” captures the lives of Jiangjin people as vibrant as the Eight Dishes along the Yangtze River, showcasing the enduring cultural creativity of China’s inland cities. Today, Jiangjin’s stories are riding the lenses and voices of these new disseminators and vaulting over mountains and seas to resonate across the globe.