Snail sales surge in Nandan during Dragon Boat Festival

During the recently concluded Dragon Boat Festival, river snail sales surged in Nandan county, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, as the local custom of eating snails fuels a vibrant festive consumption boom.

At local farmers' markets, vendors have tripled their usual stock. Residents either take away ready-to-eat cooked snails or buy fresh ingredients to prepare festive family feasts together.

A dish features fresh river snails as the main ingredient, stewed together with duck feet, potatoes and other side ingredients. [Photo/Hechi Daily]

Local resident Mr Luo said the long-standing snail-eating tradition for the Dragon Boat Festival has long been embedded in local daily life and has become an iconic folk custom of the festival in Nandan.

Urban catering outlets have also seen a consumption peak. A snail rice noodle shop on Wuyi Road has suspended dine-in services, with its kitchen running at full capacity to fulfill pre-ordered snail and duck foot casseroles amid overwhelming orders.

Passed down through generations in Nandan, this custom is more than a seasonal culinary delight. It carries local people’s heartfelt wishes for peace, good health and family reunion.