By CGTN's Yang Chengxi

Jiaxing is a small city in east China's Zhejiang Province, well-known around the country for its delicious Zongzi.

And locals here have held their major annual event during the Dragon Boat Festival: a Zongzi wrapping contest.

"This is the 11th year that Jiaxing has held this contest. The preliminary matches started in April. Around five to six hundred people participated. Today the 100 finalists are having their last competition here”, said Zhou Jiahao, the contest's organizer.

Jiaxing is known around China as the capital of Zongzi. /CGTN Photo

For locals, the craft of Zongzi-making has been passed from generation to generation. Many of these participants here have been making the sticky rice treat for years, so their production is second nature. 

Each round of the contest lasts five minutes. The judges then give their scores based on the amount and aesthetic qualities of the finished Zongzis.

"Many have finished around 25 Zongzis. These contestants are all very skilled. Many of them often make Zongzis in their community as everyday food. So, their skills are passable,” said Mrs Wang, a judge.

Speed is one of the ingredients for success.  /CGTN photo

After the public has finished, next up is a match between professionals.

They come from the assembly lines of around 40 Zongzi producers in Jiaxing city. Compared to previous rounds, this is a match on a whole different level.

"For amateur matches, our main requirements are that the threads won't loosen and the rice doesn't fall out. There are higher requirements for professionals. The forms of each Zongzi need to be exactly the same. For the skilled ones, they can make about 30 Zongzis every five minutes, and they all need to weigh over 100 grams”, said Ni Jianeng, a judge for the professionals' contest.

Tu Caihong has been a Zongzi-wrapping professional for 13 years. /CGTN photo

Tu Caihong has been a star contestant for the last few years and each and every Zongzi she makes weighs almost exactly 100 grams.

"I've been making Zongzi for the past 13 years and I do it every day. I am quite satisfied with my performance. I made 32. Last year I made 30,” she said.