A snake-themed huamo is on display at a huamo studio in Taiyuan, North China's Shanxi province on Jan 13, 2025. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/China Daily]

Snake-shaped Shanxi huamo (decorated steamed buns) are in high demand as people are ready to usher in the Year of the Snake Spring Festival, which will fall on Jan 29.

Dating back more than a millennium, Shanxi huamo does not merely delight the eyes and tastebuds but also is of ceremonial use. In 2008, it was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Wang Chunyan (left) and her colleague introduce the process of making snake-themed huamo at her studio in Taiyuan, North China's Shanxi province on Jan 13, 2025. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/China Daily]

47-year old Wang Chunyan is an inheritor of the huamo-making craft and owner of a huamo studio in Taiyuan, North China's Shanxi province. Her studio offers workshops and courses on huamo making, targeting young people interested in this ancient craft.

"As Year of the Snake is around the corner, the snake-themed huamo I made with flour and fruit and vegetable powder are very popular. They are beautiful, delicious and nutritious," Wang said.

Snake-themed huamo are on display at a huamo studio in Taiyuan, North China's Shanxi province on Jan 13, 2025. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/China Daily]

Huamo craftsmen in several Shanxi cities including Taiyuan, Yuncheng, and Yangquan, have designed various decorated steamed buns with snake elements, which can be purchased both online and offline.

Snake-themed huamo are on display at a huamo studio in Taiyuan, North China's Shanxi province on Jan 13, 2025. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/China Daily] 

A snake-themed huamo is on display at a huamo studio in Taiyuan, North China's Shanxi province on Jan 13, 2025. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/China Daily] 

A snake-themed huamo is on display at a huamo studio in Taiyuan, North China's Shanxi province on Jan 13, 2025. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/China Daily]