An artisan demonstrates Sunchang zongzi. [Photo/Tide News]

In Suichang county of Lishui, Zhejiang province, the traditional zongzi (sticky rice dumplings with various fillings wrapped in leaves) has evolved from a local festive food into a thriving industry, bringing prosperity to the community.

These cylindrical rice dumplings, which are long and straight and bound with Chinese rush grass, are known for their firm texture and distinctive aroma derived from locally sourced bamboo leaves and rush grass.

The transformation began when Zheng Fuming, head of Suichang's zongzi association, realized their potential beyond local consumption. After receiving unsolicited orders following positive word-of-mouth, he started commercial production in 2016.

He adapted the traditional longer size into a more practical 20-centimeter, 300-gram format suitable for modern kitchens. While preserving core techniques, he also expanded the product line beyond Dragon Boat Festival, creating themed zongzi for occasions like college entrance exams, weddings, and birthdays.

Flavors now extend beyond the classic dried vegetable and pork to include spicy, multigrain, quinoa, and even coffee varieties, gaining popularity nationwide.

The industry relies on skilled artisans like 61-year-old Zhang Dongmei, an inheritor of the craft. With nearly five decades of experience, she teaches others a tight wrapping technique crucial for achieving the desired chewiness.

Over 1,300 local women are employed in this industry. The most skilled artisans, capable of producing more than 300 zongzi a day, earn a substantial supplementary income from their craft.

In 2025, Suichang's total orders exceeded 9 million zongzi, generating 180 million yuan ($25.89 million) in revenue.

The industry has created over 400 jobs and boosted the incomes of 3,800 farming households by a total of 76 million yuan, averaging 20,000 yuan per person. This traditional craft is now paving a new path for rural vitalization.