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The opening ceremony of the China International Huangjiu Industry Expo 2021 and the 27th Shaoxing Huangjiu Festival is held at Shaoxing Olympic Sports Center on Nov 7. [Photo/WeChat account: sxfabu]

The arrival of winter ushers in the best time of the year for brewing huangjiu (yellow rice wine). On Nov 7, the winter season's arrival was celebrated with the launch of an industry expo and culture festival in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province.

Traditional rituals were conducted to mark the arrival of winter and the brewing season's commencement.

The Shaoxing Huangjiu Festival, which has been held for 27 consecutive years, has developed into an eight-day carnival from Nov 7 to 14.

For most Chinese people, Shaoxing is synonymous with yellow rice wine, which locals have been producing since the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC).

Yellow rice wine is a pillar industry in the city. It is exported to more than 40 countries and regions, and the brewing technique was listed as one of the national intangible cultural heritages in 2006.