September is when the Chinese traditional Mid Autumn Day takes place, which means a lot for the Chinese families to reunite. In the festive ambience of the Mid Autumn Day, visitors to Kunming (Yunnan) will have a big opportunity for tasting assorted moon cakes and pastries.

 

The rose-pied
The favourite of most visitors to Kunming (Yunnan), flower pastries are the very desserts one must try when in Kunming. It is said that Yunnan flower pastries were once praised by Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty about 300 years ago. In Anning in the west of Kunming, there are rose plantations which are mainly dedicated to making flower pastries which are available all the year round as many travellers to Kunming know these fragrant pastries are the authentic local specialty. 

 

The ham-pied
Among the Yunnan style moon cakes, the ham-pied enjoy a wide popularity in China. This is partly because Yunnan’s climate is suitable for curing hams. The story of the ham-pied moon cakes can date back to the period of the Republic of China (1912-1949) and the producer at that time was the Hexianglou Workshop (in Kunming) which specilised in Han nationality pastries. As the best seller among moon cakes in Kunming today, the ham-pied moon cakes are either decently festival gifts or for locals to enjoy themselves.

 

Others
According to different clients, many new kinds of moon cakes are baked, including sugar-free and fruits-pied ones which are friendly to people even with diabetes.

 

Where to buy?
In the outlets of supermarkets like Carrefour and Wal-Mart in the city of Kunming, many kinds of moon cakes are available; and many bakeries like the Joy Bakery and Bread Works have very nice moon cakes for sale.