What started as a simple plea for help slaughtering pigs in rural Chongqing has become a nationwide celebration of tradition and community. Daidai, a woman from Qingfu Village, sparked an unexpected cultural phenomenon this month when her viral video request to assist her elderly father drew over 500,000 likes in two days – and a 10-kilometer traffic jam of eager participants.
🔍 Why it matters: The spontaneous paozhutang (pig slaughter feast) ritual, typically a quiet pre-Spring Festival tradition, became a symbol of China's enduring connection to rural roots. Visitors from Shanghai to Shenzhen flocked to Hechuan District, transforming the village into a living museum of folk culture.
🍲 The feast effect: As smoke rose from giant woks and the scent of ginger-spiced pork filled the air, participants described feeling “the warmth of 1,000 hometown memories.” The event highlights how Gen Z is rediscovering traditional customs through digital platforms – think #FarmCore meets TikTok activism.
🌾 Bigger picture: This isn’t just about pork – it’s a masterclass in cultural preservation. As one Beijing-based sociologist noted: “In our AI-driven world, people are craving tangible connections. That 10km traffic jam? That’s the sound of urban China hungry for authenticity.”
