As the summer sun heats up, a cool new trend is sweeping tourist hotspots across the Chinese mainland: culturally creative ice cream bars. These frozen treats, inspired by iconic landmarks and cultural heritage, are not only delighting taste buds but also providing picture-perfect moments for visitors.
From cherry blossom-shaped ice creams at Beijing’s Yuyuantan Park to tower-shaped treats at the Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan, Hubei Province, these edible artworks are becoming must-have accessories for travelers. Snapping selfies with these thematic ice creams has become a favorite pastime, especially among young tourists eager to blend flavors with history.
The craze began in 2019 when the Old Summer Palace in Beijing introduced an ice cream shaped like a blooming lotus grown from an ancient seed. This innovative blend of culture and cuisine quickly captured the public’s imagination, sparking a nationwide phenomenon. Now, cultural ice cream bars are a delightful way for people to engage with heritage in a fun and memorable way.
As the nation celebrates the 15th China Tourism Day—commemorating the legendary journeys of traveler and geographer Xu Xiake—many are setting out to explore scenic and cultural wonders. With a cultural ice cream bar in hand, tourists are savoring not only the landscapes but also the stories that make each location unique.
“It’s a refreshing way to experience history,” says Liu Wei, a college student visiting the Palace Museum in Beijing. “Enjoying an ice cream shaped like an ancient artifact makes the visit even more special.”
Whether you’re a history buff or just looking to cool off, these cultural ice cream bars offer a tasty connection to the past. So next time you’re touring the Chinese mainland’s famous sites, don’t forget to indulge in a piece of heritage—one bite at a time.
