Chinese cuisine flavored by trade

The Anhui Fare Festival in Beijing offers diners not only a myriad of authentic dishes from Anhui province, but also a chance to experience the local culture. [Photo Provided to China Daily]

An ongoing festival in Beijing lets foodies sample a Chinese cuisine that was greatly influenced by businessmen who traveled around the country and beyond to seek their fortunes.

In China, there are few places that are so closely linked with businessmen than Anhui province. The only possible rival is Shanxi province with its so-called Jin merchants.

Nearly all aspects of life in the so-called Huizhou area, as it was known in ancient times, and which is now the southern part of Anhui province, were greatly influenced by businessmen who traveled around the country and beyond to seek their fortunes.

From food and architecture to the values of honesty and diligence, the Huizhou merchants had a unique lifestyle, and their "Hui culture" is now one of the three distinctive regional cultures in China. The other two cultures are Tibetan and Dunhuang.

For Beijingers, a rare opportunity has come up to sample Anhui fare and experience its culture.