Handmade dried noodles from Yuedong town in Guangyuan are now reaching markets nationwide. By promoting this traditional craft, the local community has managed to boost farmers' incomes and carve out a distinctive path to prosperity.

Handmade dried noodles. [Photo provided to cngy.gov.cn]

The noodle-making process involves 17 steps and multiple fermentations, reflecting deep-rooted craftsmanship. It was recognized as a municipal intangible cultural heritage item in Guangyuan in 2014 and upgraded to a provincial-level heritage item in Sichuan in 2023.

Through continuous innovation, the tradition remains vibrant. A local learning base now offers hands-on experiences for students, while skill training sessions using a "theory, observation, practice" model have attracted over 500 participants since 2024.

Today, more than 40 households and over 150 locals are engaged in noodle production, with each household seeing their income rise by an average of 30,000 yuan (about $4,140) annually. To ensure an ample supply of ingredients, the town encourages the cultivation of supporting crops like kiwifruit and chives, strengthening the supply chain and creating additional revenue streams.

Handmade dried noodles. [Photo provided to cngy.gov.cn]

E-commerce has also opened new sales channels. With an established logistics and demonstration center, the town now sells about 400 metric tons of noodles annually to other provinces.

Collaboration with universities like Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University has further injected scientific expertise into the craft, driving ongoing improvements in quality and technique.