Originated in Hengshan town of Doumen district during the reign of Emperor Guangxu (1871-1908) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the century-old Ya Zha Bao has remained a renowned folk delicacy in neighboring areas and Hong Kong and Macao. Its secret recipe has now been handed down to the fourth generation.

Rivers and fields abound in Doumen’s Lianzhou Town, where Zhuhai National Agricultural Science & Technology Park is located. With affluent fresh air and a pollution-free aquatic environment, the poultry bred here are known for tasty meat.

Ya Zha Bao. [Photo provided to govt.chinadaily.com.cn]

The bundle contains uniquely well-preserved and suntanned segments of the duck. During the boom season in autumn and winter, duck bundles sell well as delicacies in restaurants and karaoke bars, and as presents for relatives and friends.

Ya Zha Bao was designated a fifth-group Guangdong Provincial-Level Intangible Cultural Heritage item in Dec 2013.