A mid-year journey through the 12 seasonal customs at Prince Kung's Palace Museum

Second lunar month: Discovering Prince Kung's Palace's unique spring delicacies

Zhonghe Festival, celebrated on the first day of the second lunar month, is known as the "Sun's Birthday". On this day, people worship the sun and pray for a bountiful harvest. An essential offering is Sun Cake.

According to Chinese tradition, the second day of the second lunar month marks the time when the dragon raises its head – symbolizing the awakening of this mythological creature from its slumber. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), princely families would prepare a special dish for the occasion known as Dragon Scale Cake.

A spring feast would conclude with finely shredded fresh mustard greens – a seasonal vegetable – served with rice porridge, a custom known as "eating Dragon's Whiskers".

In tune with the changing seasons, the culinary traditions of Prince Kung's Palace reflect a deep reverence for nature's rhythms and wisdom.