From the festive bustle of a traditional pig slaughter to hands-on mushroom harvesting and a tranquil forest hike, a new experiential tour in eastern China is redefining winter getaways by blending age-old customs with modern agritourism. Launched this month through a collaboration between Hangtou Town in Jiande and the travel agency Youxiake, the “Year-End Pig Feast + Mushroom Picking + Nanmu Forest Walk” itinerary was conceived with support from Chen Yun, a provincial cultural envoy. 

The itinerary thoughtfully integrates traditional Lunar New Year customs, modern agricultural practices, and pristine natural surroundings into a single, well-paced day-long experience. Visitors begin by immersing themselves in the warmth and festive energy of a “year-end pig feast” (nian zhu yan), a time-honored ritual that captures the convivial spirit of the twelfth lunar month. They then step into a cutting-edge button mushroom cultivation facility - where climate-controlled environments and smart farming technologies showcase the innovation driving contemporary Chinese agriculture. The day concludes with a peaceful stroll through a secluded grove of nanmu trees, famed for their towering canopies and exceptionally high oxygen levels, offering guests a rare chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature. This carefully curated journey drew more than 200 visitors during its debut weekend alone.

“Guests begin by witnessing a time-honored nian zhu (year-end pig slaughter) - a ritual steeped in Lunar New Year symbolism - before they pick up fresh produce themselves and a walk through a serene grove of nanmu trees. The timing flows naturally,” explains Dong Qian, a spokesperson for Hangtou Town. Beyond the experience, the authority is testing a bigger idea: how to bring people into the countryside while sending high-quality local goods out.”

Travel guide Zhu Qingqing of Youxiake confirms the appeal: “The pig feast carries such deep emotional resonance - it’s joyful, communal, and deeply Chinese. And the afternoon forest walk? Guests say it leaves them feeling genuinely refreshed, both physically and mentally.”

The tour’s early success has already boosted local restaurant revenue, farm product sales, and demand for homestay services. More importantly, it signals Hangtou’s growing capacity to leverage its cultural and natural assets through innovative agritourism - a model other rural communities may soon look to emulate.

Looking ahead, town officials plan to roll out seasonal itineraries year-round. “We’re designing a spring hiking route now,” says a Hangtou representative, “pairing trail walks with farm stays and seasonal fruit-and-vegetable picking. We want every visit to feel unique - and rooted in what makes our land special.”