Meat-stuffed mooncakes are the most popular variety among residents of the county-level city of Zhangjiagang in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]

With the arrival of the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival on Oct 1 this year, mooncakes have been selling quickly in the county-level city of Zhangjiagang in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province.

The delicious stuffed pastry is round in shape, just like a full moon, which is a symbol of prosperity and family reunion in China. Suzhou-style mooncakes are crispy, come in various flavors, and have a yellow oily luster. Sweet fillings include pine nut, walnut kernel, rose, red beans and the like, while savoury fillings include ham, shrimp meat, green onions and so on. Meat-stuffed mooncakes are the most popular variety among residents of the city.

Here are some recommended places in Zhangjiagang to enjoy authentic meat-stuffed mooncakes:

Iwill (爱维尔)

The meat-stuffed and sweetened been paste mooncakes at Iwill won't let you down. Fresh pork mooncakes have a crispy and flaky exterior.

Address: The intersection of Xinshihe Rd and Yulan Rd

Deyue Restaurant (得悦楼)

Diners must make reservations in advance if they want to try the fresh pork mooncakes at Deyue Restaurant. Just one is enough to fill an empty stomach.

Address: B115 Qucheng New village, Yongxin Rd, Jinfeng town

Fenghuang Yuan's Mooncakes (凤凰袁氏月饼)

A testament to the saying "Good wine needs no bush," Yuan's Mooncakes is tucked away deep in an alley in Fenghuang town but is popular in Zhangjiagang due to the traditional production methods used. The mooncakes are completely handmade, a tradition which has been passed down from generation to generation.

Address: Central Fenghuang town