Over the past weekend (April 18-19), the “One Step, One Taste · Enjoy Intangible Heritage” — 2026 “Bay Area Weekend IN Dongguan” · Gaobu Station Intangible Heritage Experience Day took place.

During the event, citizens followed the intangible heritage route to explore Gaobu, immersing themselves in intangible heritage skills, tasting authentic local delicacies, and participating in Gaobu’s trendy cultural activities. Through interaction, they touched the warmth of history and unlocked new ways to experience intangible heritage.

From fingertip craftsmanship to tongue-pleasing flavors, from daytime fun explorations to nighttime trendy parties, Gaobu used an “experience + interaction + consumption” linkage to create a new intangible heritage business format for the Bay Area weekend, blending cultural depth, social attributes, and consumer vitality, achieving both social and economic benefits.

Bouncy · Water Town Handmade

“Master Huang, how are washed shark fish balls made?” “Why are they so bouncy?” “How do you cook them at home to make them delicious?” At Linji Washed Shark Fish Ball Shop, children gathered around the workbench, eagerly asking questions to the municipal intangible heritage inheritor Huang Ganlin, their eyes full of curiosity and anticipation.

Huang Ganlin demonstrated the processes of slicing meat, removing bones, and chopping into paste, while explaining the secret to the “bouncy” texture of washed shark fish balls, making this intangible heritage skill vivid and tangible.

During the hands-on session, the children transformed into “little chefs,” squeezing the fine fish paste into round, plump fish balls, carefully experiencing the intangible heritage crafting technique.

As the fish balls bobbed and floated in boiling water, the entire kitchen filled with a rich, fresh aroma. Everyone eagerly tasted their own creations. “The washed shark fish balls I made are chewy and especially delicious!” said Zhong Zihui, a third-grade student from Xiansha Primary School, excitedly.

Sticky · Family Feast Heritage

At Dongguan Guanli Food Co., Ltd., parent-child families participated in the Baoanwei Braised Pork heritage tasting event. “Choose pork belly with alternating layers of fat and lean…” said Li Zhuliang and Li Shaoping, the third-generation inheritors of Baoanwei Braised Pork making technique, as they taught on-site, explaining in detail the handling of ingredients, sauce preparation, steaming time and heat, breaking down the crafting secrets step by step.

Then, everyone sat together and tasted the freshly made Baoanwei Braised Pork. The bright red, layered pork, paired with soft taro, was rich and savory, quickly devoured. “Baoanwei Braised Pork is soft and not greasy at all. I want another piece!” said Li Haoyang, a second-grade student from Dongpu Primary School.

Additionally, both adults and children made classic traditional snacks like mugwort cakes and bowl rice cakes, enjoying the joy of labor amidst laughter and chatter.

Aromatic · Century-Old Cured Meat

The Aizai Xiang Lingnan Cured Meat Cultural Museum was filled with the aroma of cured meat. Talents from various industries in Gaobu gathered to participate in the “Trendy Durian Sausage” making experience.

At the event, led by staff, everyone toured the Aizai Xiang Lingnan Cured Meat Cultural Museum. Through photos and artifacts, they gained deeper insight into the heritage lineage and cultural connotations of two representative intangible heritage projects: “Gaobu Aizai Sausage Making Technique” and “Dongguan Cured Pig Head Skin Making Technique.”

The hands-on experience was especially lively. Sausage stuffing, poking holes, tying knots… adults and children divided tasks and worked together, step by step, to make trendy durian sausages. Soon, strings of plump durian sausages took shape, emitting a fragrant aroma.

After the experience, everyone took photos with their creations, sharing this unique “Gaobu flavor” with family and friends, amid continuous laughter and joy.

Gaobu

Gaobu, also known as Gaobu Town, is a historic water town located in the Dongguan area of Guangdong Province, China. It has a rich history dating back over 800 years, known for its well-preserved ancient architecture, narrow canals, and traditional customs. The town played a significant role in regional trade and culture, and today it is a popular tourist destination showcasing Lingnan-style buildings and local heritage.

Linji Washed Shark Fish Ball Shop

Linji Washed Shark Fish Ball Shop is a renowned traditional food establishment in Taiwan, famous for its handcrafted fish balls made from fresh shark meat. The shop has a long history, dating back several decades, and is celebrated for preserving the art of washing and processing the fish to achieve a uniquely bouncy and flavorful texture. It remains a beloved cultural landmark, offering a taste of Taiwanese culinary heritage.

Dongguan Guanli Food Co., Ltd.

Dongguan Guanli Food Co., Ltd. is a Chinese food manufacturing company based in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, specializing in the production of snacks, candies, and preserved fruits. The company was established to leverage the region’s strong food processing industry and has grown to serve both domestic and international markets. While specific historical details are limited, it operates within Dongguan’s broader economic development as a major manufacturing hub in southern China.

Baoanwei Braised Pork

Baoanwei Braised Pork is a traditional dish from the Bao’an region of Shenzhen, China, known for its rich, savory flavor and tender texture. Its history traces back to the Ming Dynasty when the Bao’an Wei (a fortified military garrison) was established, and local cooks created the braised pork to sustain soldiers with hearty, long-lasting meals. Today, it remains a beloved cultural specialty, celebrated for preserving the culinary heritage of the area.

Aizai Xiang Lingnan Cured Meat Cultural Museum

The Aizai Xiang Lingnan Cured Meat Cultural Museum, located in southern China, is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the region’s traditional cured meat-making heritage, particularly the Lingnan-style sausage and preserved meats. It traces the history of this culinary craft, which dates back centuries and reflects local agricultural practices and seasonal preservation techniques. The museum offers visitors an immersive experience into the cultural significance and production processes of these iconic southern Chinese delicacies.

Gaobu Aizai Sausage Making Technique

The Gaobu Aizai Sausage Making Technique is a traditional culinary craft from Gaobu Town in Dongguan, Guangdong, China, known for producing a distinctive air-dried sausage. With a history spanning over a century, this technique involves carefully selecting pork, seasoning it with local soy sauce and sugar, and naturally air-drying the sausages to achieve a rich, savory flavor. It is recognized as an intangible cultural heritage, reflecting the region’s deep-rooted food culture and artisanal skills.

Dongguan Cured Pig Head Skin Making Technique

The “Dongguan Cured Pig Head Skin Making Technique” is a traditional food processing method from Dongguan, China, known for transforming pig head skin into a savory, cured delicacy. This technique has a history rooted in local culinary practices, likely developed to preserve meat and enhance flavor through salting and air-drying. It reflects the region’s resourceful use of ingredients and remains a valued part of Cantonese food culture.