Shangdang cured donkey meat is known as one of the "Three Treasures of Changzhi." This cured donkey meat was already famous in southern Shanxi during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, and was even exported to first-tier cities north and south. The preparation of this cured donkey meat emphasizes marinating rather than sun-drying, resulting in a brightly colored, tender, and flavorful meat, making it a perfect side dish for alcohol.
Wuxiang Date Cake is a snack unique to Wuxiang, Changzhi, Shanxi. This date cake is mainly made of yellow rice flour, jade flour and large red dates. It is steamed into a delicacy. It looks orange, tastes soft, sweet and delicious, and is deeply loved by local people.
Dry steamed buns are one of Qin County's specialties. You can't find them just anywhere, and they're not easily imitated. Even the water used in their preparation is unique to Qin County. Qinzhou dry steamed buns are round in shape, hollow and with a core. The dough is carefully kneaded, using warm water, white flour, and then lye. The center of the dry steamed bun is made with Sichuan peppercorns, salt, sesame oil, and flour, creating a pastry. Once formed, the buns are roasted in a fire ring. The resulting dry steamed buns are crispy and delicious, and can be used to sandwich meat or date cakes for even better flavor. Qin County dry steamed buns are truly unique, but there's one caveat: they must be eaten hot. They're best when freshly made, but they become hard and lose their original texture and flavor when they cool.