Designer ice cream bars are revolutionizing kiosk sales at Chinese museums and scenic spots this summer as visitors flock to take in a taste of history.
The flavor and shape of each iconic ice cream-on-a-stick is informed by a special relic or character at the landmark spot.
(Compiled by Song Kexin)
Shanghai Museum had to limit daily sales to 500 of its delicious Dake Ding-shaped ice cream at a special exhibition showcasing 21 ancient bronze ding vessels.
Beginning in 2019, the Yuanmingyuan Old Summer Palace in Beijing was one of the first tourist attractions to sell its own custom ice cream bars. The mouthwatering lotus motif draws inspiration from the archaeological excavation of the Ruyuan site.
Chinese zodiac animals are marketed through mystery boxes at the Yuanmingyuan Old Summer Palace in Beijing.
Tourists are forbidden to take photos at the more fragile scenic spots like Dunhuang in Northwest China’s Gansu Province. Never mind, they can munch on the Mogao Grottoes instead.
Hundreds of these unique ice cream bars were actually all created by the same man: Zheng Aonan. Zheng has collaborated with more than 200 scenic spots from 34 provinces.
Making a memorable ice cream bar is not as easy as it tastes. Zheng needs months to create a detailed, historically accurate, delicious design.
Zheng told media his design and architecture ideas evolved during his travels around the world. The idea of themed ice cream bars came to him in Stockholm. "Designing these ice creams is a chance for me to explore the beauty of my country," Zheng said, “and I hope that by eating my ice cream, people can have a long-lasting impression of the beautiful scenery they have seen.”
