Chefs utilize a massive 3-meter diameter iron wok to make Chaobola during the second Shandan Chaobola Festival in Shandan county, Zhangye, Gansu province, on July 13, 2024. [Photo provided to gogansu.com]

The second Shandan Chaobola Festival kicked off by Yanzhi Mountain in Shandan county on the evening of July 13, 2024, attracting 82,000 individuals. Nestled in the scenic midsummer of the Hexi Corridor, the event offered a delightful fusion of "performance + food + stories + activities" that captivated visitors' senses.

At Zhixing Square in Shandan county, Zhangye, Gansu province, a wok measuring 3.3 meters in diameter commanded attention. Six chefs skillfully maneuvered their spatulas with vigor, captivating onlookers as the ingredients in the wok bloomed like vivid flowers, serving up bowls of Silk Road delicacies to enthusiastic tourists.

According to legend, General Huo Qubing slaughtered cattle and sheep on the spot to reward his soldiers after defeating the Xiongnu nomads in Shandan. Faced with a large number of soldiers and limited cooking utensils and ingredients, they ingeniously improvised by stacking stones to fashion a stove, using shields as cooking surfaces, and stir-frying vigorously, resulting in a fragrant aroma that filled the air.         

Over time and across generations, Shandan Chaobola has evolved into one of the signature delicacies of the Hexi Corridor in Gansu province.