Villagers in Anhui busy making Huizhou rice cakes ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival

Cake makers make Huizhou rice cakes in Shuanglong Village of Xiuning County, Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 17, 2026. (Photos: Xinhua)

Eating rice cakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional custom dating back to ancient Huizhou, which included Huangshan and neighboring areas, as the word "cake" sounds like "high" in Chinese, symbolizing promotion and steady progress.

While the Mid-Autumn Festival is around the corner, cake makers in Shuanglong Village are busy with making Huizhou rice cakes.

A cake maker arranges the hand-made Huizhou rice cakes in Shuanglong Village of Xiuning County, Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 17, 2026.

A cake maker arranges the hand-made Huizhou rice cakes in Shuanglong Village of Xiuning County, Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 17, 2026.

A cake maker makes Huizhou rice cakes in Shuanglong Village of Xiuning County, Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 17, 2026.

A cake maker arranges the hand-made Huizhou rice cakes in Shuanglong Village of Xiuning County, Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 17, 2026.

A cake maker displays a rabbit-shaped Huizhou rice cake in Shuanglong Village of Xiuning County, Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 17, 2026.

A cake maker adds the finishing touches to the rabbit-shaped Huizhou rice cakes in Shuanglong Village of Xiuning County, Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 17, 2026.

A cake maker makes Huizhou rice cakes in Shuanglong Village of Xiuning County, Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 17, 2026.

A cake maker makes Huizhou rice cakes in Shuanglong Village of Xiuning County, Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 17, 2026.