Sun-drying, or “shaiqiu” (晒秋), is a traditional agricultural practice in the Huizhou region that celebrates the bounty of the harvest. This unique custom, deeply rooted in the mountainous villages of Huizhou, has become a cultural symbol, showcasing both the local lifestyle and natural beauty of the area.
Huizhou is characterized by its hilly terrain, with very little flat land available in villages. Because of this, villagers have historically made use of every available surface, including rooftops, windowsills, and courtyards, to dry their crops. This practical method of drying agricultural products has evolved over time into a visually striking scene, attracting painters and photographers alike. The vibrant colors of the drying produce against the backdrop of traditional Huizhou architecture create a picturesque setting that has been poetically referred to as “shaiqiu,” or “sun-drying in autumn.”
The term “qiu” (秋), meaning autumn, in “shaiqiu” reflects the season when the harvest is most abundant, and the drying process becomes particularly active. However, sun-drying is not limited to autumn alone. Crops are dried throughout the year, though the practice is most prominent in autumn due to the sheer volume of produce. This seasonal abundance enhances the visual and cultural significance of sun-drying during this time of year.
In recent years, the custom of sun-drying has faded in many places as modern farming techniques have changed traditional ways of life. However, in the ancient village of Huangling in Wuyuan, the tradition is not only preserved but has transformed into a cultural celebration. Known for its distinctive terraced layout, Huangling features hundreds of traditional Huizhou-style houses that are scattered across the mountainside with a dramatic elevation difference. The sight of these old homes, with their colorful drying racks filled with fruits, peppers, corn, and other crops, against the backdrop of Huizhou architecture is truly one of a kind.
Huangling has become famous for its “shaiqiu” scenes, and the annual Sun-Drying Culture Festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. The festival is a joyful event, celebrating the harvest and rural life, while offering tourists the opportunity to witness and photograph the vibrant displays of sun-drying in action. The colorful arrangement of produce, bathed in the soft morning light, creates a stunning visual that has earned Huangling’s sun-drying tradition the title of “the most beautiful Chinese symbol.”
Today, the practice of sun-drying in Huizhou has evolved from a functional farming technique into a cultural and tourism highlight, representing the beauty and bounty of rural life in China.