Cured pork and fish are air-dried. [Photo/WeChat account: zjgwtgl]

As the Chinese New Year, which falls on Jan 22 this year, is drawing near, residents in Zhangjiagang, a county-level city in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, are preparing a variety of traditional food.

Baozi, or steamed buns with stuffing like meat, bean paste, turnip, and black sesame, are widely consumed by Zhangjiagang locals during the Spring Festival. One family usually makes a few hundred buns.

Steamed cakes that are made from rice flour and glutinous rice flour are also an essential New Year item in Zhangjiagang. Ingredients like white sugar, osmanthus flowers, red dates, candied fruits, and walnuts are usually added to the cakes to improve their flavor.

Cured pork, fish, and sausages are also among the favorite food of Zhangjiagang residents during the Spring Festival.