Braised chicken with red and green peppers. [Photo/Ningxia Daily]

Every day when the morning sun casts its glow, zaocha or early morning tea shops in Wuzhong, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, are already full of people.

The energetic atmosphere evokes a lively culinary performance, featuring dishes such as chewy beef noodles, sweet eight-treasure tea, and sticky twists. Paired with fresh side dishes and fragrant pastries, this morning ritual captures the lively culinary spirit of the city.

Wuzhong's zaocha offers a rich tapestry of flavors, with 57 featured Chinese specialty dishes.

The city is currently home to 793 zaocha shops, generating annual sales of 1.5 billion yuan ($211.54 million) and providing employment for 20,000 people. The unique traditions of old brand shops, combined with the innovative concepts of new ones, create a diverse array of flavors.

Today, the slogan "Travel in Ningxia, Eat in Wuzhong" echoes across China. With high-speed cultural tourism trains connecting the region and lively food festivals everywhere, Wuzhong's zaocha reflects the deep cultural roots of local traditions and the dynamic legend of modern industry.

Pancake paired with spicy chili sauce. [Photo/Ningxia Daily]