The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Clear and Bright (Chinese: 清明), the 5th solar term, begins on April 4 and ends on April 19.

Of all the 24 solar terms, Clear and Bright is the only one whose first day coincides with a Chinese tradition, Qingming Festival or Tomb-Sweeping Day.

In the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, qingtuan, a round, green cake, is a very popular snack on Tomb-Sweeping Day. To make the cakes, people mash and squeeze the juice from barnyard grass and mix it with flour into a paste. Then they inject red bean filling into the paste and steam it. Pretty and delicate, qingtuan has a mellow, special taste.

This year in Shanghai, many well-known shops offer a variety of qingtuan in different flavors. Whether it's the classic red bean paste or trendy salted egg yolk with shredded pork, or newer flavors like glutinous rice-coated, curry beef, or Artemisia leaf with walnut and jujube, you can find them all.

Here is a list of several traditional stalls where you can try qingtuan!

1. Sunya Cantonese Restaurant

Sunya Cantonese Restaurant introduces a new dish this year – Curry Beef Qingtuan. It's a delightful fusion of exotic curry and tender marinated beef, creating a rich and flavorful broth that instantly fills your mouth with savory goodness.

Their popular Yanduxian (spring bamboo shoot soup with fresh, pickled streaky pork) Qingtuan continues to be a top seller, featuring layers of fresh saltiness. It's soft and chewy with a crispy texture, providing a delightful contrast in every bite.

Additionally, their innovative Butter Cashew Qingtuan offers a unique twist. Combining butter, cashews, and sesame seeds, it is particularly enjoyable when served cold.

Open: Monday to Sunday, 7:30 am-10 am, 11 am-1:30 pm, 2 pm-4 pm, 5 pm-8:30 pm

Address: No 719 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu district

2. Shen Da Cheng

This year, Shen Da Cheng introduces a new treat – Glutinous Rice-coated Qingtuan. The addition of glutinous rice enhances the chewiness of the qingtuan while adding a delightful aroma, making the taste very satisfying. Just one bite will do! The filling includes diced water chestnuts and fresh meat, providing a burst of freshness with every mouthful.

Also, don't miss the Spring Fresh Qingtuan, where an extra layer of glutinous rice is added to the outer skin. This variation features a filling based on shepherd's purse, with diced mushrooms for freshness and crispy bamboo shoots for an incredible taste!

Open: Monday to Sunday, 7:30 am-9 pm

Multiple locations include No 636 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu district

3. Wang Jia Sha

Wang Jia Sha introduces a new item: Artemisia Leaf, Jujube, and Walnut Qingtuan priced at 42 yuan ($5.81) per box (6 pieces). It is not only nutritious but also offers a rich texture that becomes more flavorful as you chew.

Open: Monday to Sunday, 7:30 am-8:00 pm

Address: No 805 West Nanjing Road, Jing'an district

4. Ningbo Tangtuan

Ningbo Tangtuan, a time-honored restaurant famous in Shanghai for its handmade tangtuan (dessert dumplings made with glutinous rice flour and various fillings), is also known for its expertise in making qingtuan.

They offer three flavors of qingtuan – Red Bean Paste for 5 yuan each, Salted Egg Yolk with Shredded Pork for 10 yuan each, and Golden Durian for 10 yuan each. The durian qingtuan is filled with creamy fruit flesh, emitting a rich aroma that's greatly appreciated by durian enthusiasts!

Open: Monday to Sunday, 8:30 am-8:00 pm

Address: No 9-11 Yuchun Road, Huangpu district

5. Dexing Restaurant

Dexing Restaurant offers a special Black Truffle, Vegetable, and Meat Qingtuan. Their Yuyuan branch also offers limited-time flavors like strawberry, mango, and qingtuan with the outer skin made of purple sweet potato.

Open: Monday to Sunday, 6:30 am-8:30 pm

Multiple locations include No 471 Guangdong Road, East Nanjing Road sub-district, Huangpu district

Sources: WeChat accounts of the above-mentioned venues, VCG