Residents of Chengtou village in Deqing county, Huzhou make niangao, or glutinous rice cakes, to welcome the upcoming Lunar New Year on Jan 14. [Photo/hz66.com]

Residents of Chengtou village in Deqing county, Huzhou made niangao, or glutinous rice cakes, using traditional techniques to welcome the upcoming Lunar New Year on Jan 14.

Niangao is made from glutinous rice. While it can be eaten year-round, traditionally it is most popular during the Chinese New Year due to its pronunciation being identical to the Chinese characters for "high year". It is believed to bring good luck in the New Year.                                       

Residents of Chengtou village in Deqing county, Huzhou make niangao, or glutinous rice cakes, to welcome the upcoming Lunar New Year on Jan 14. [Photo/hz66.com]

Residents of Chengtou village in Deqing county, Huzhou make niangao, or glutinous rice cakes, to welcome the upcoming Lunar New Year on Jan 14. [Photo/hz66.com]

Residents of Chengtou village in Deqing county, Huzhou make niangao, or glutinous rice cakes, to welcome the upcoming Lunar New Year on Jan 14. [Photo/hz66.com]

Residents eat niangao, or glutinous rice cakes, in Chengtou village in Deqing county, Huzhou on Jan 14.[Photo/hz66.com]