The aroma of traditional pastries drifted from a residence near Fuqun Road in Guhe Village, Sanxiang Town. Chen Xiuming, 72, along with his wife and sister, had been busy making dough rings in the courtyard early in the morning.

Dough rings, a local culinary gem, symbolize family reunion and good fortune. Chen has honed this craft for over a decade. After retirement, he learned to make New Year rice cakes, fried rice crackers and dough rings by apprenticing with neighbors, later continuing the tradition with his family.

As the twelfth lunar month arrives each year, Chen kicks into high gear. Recently, he processed 150 kg of rice and 60 kg of glutinous rice flour for fried rice crackers and dough rings. Customers range from relatives and neighbors to visitors from Zhuhai, Hong Kong and Macao.

Chen says that these traditional snacks are now primarily made and enjoyed by older generations, evoking nostalgic memories of Chinese New Year's celebrations.