With the arrival of the summer heat, cultural-themed ice creams are once again trending across social media platforms in China.

Museums, scenic spots, amusement parks and even universities have once again rolled out their unique cultural-themed ice creams this year.

These ice creams are often miniature replicas of famous landmarks or cultural relics that offer visitors a delight for the taste buds.

The trend of cultural-themed ice creams began in 2019 when the Old Summer Palace in Beijing was one of the first scenic spots in China to introduce lotus-shaped ice creams.

These ice creams were widely loved by visitors, not only serving as a cold treat but also offering a unique way for visitors to sample and connect with their cultural heritage.

Famous scenic spots and museums such as the National Museum of China, the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, and the Sanxingdui Museum have followed suit, successively launching their own cultural-themed ice creams featuring iconic relics.

To protect their cultural relics, many museums have put up signs prohibiting photography or the use of a flash.

However, cultural-themed ice creams provide an alternative way for visitors to capture memories of their visit. Various flavors offer visitors a choice of colors and ingredients for the ice cream, which reflect the local characteristics and charm of these cold treats. It is also suggested by the museums that the visitors can take the engraved ice cream bars home with them to use as bookmarks.

For many young people, taking photos of themselves standing alongside cultural landmarks is an aesthetic preference from their parents' generation.

To them, a selfie with a cultural-themed ice cream is a much cooler way to show off their travel experiences and bridge the gap between modern life and distant historical relics.

The success of cultural-themed ice creams has inspired many museums and tourist attractions in China to explore more possibilities in creative souvenirs, such as snacks, chocolates and biscuits that don't melt on the way home.

In addition to selling ornaments, books and paperweights, China's cultural souvenirs have become more creative, making them relatable to modern day life through their taste.