A Taste of Liuzhou: The Story of Qingyun Morning Market

December 12, 2025

A Taste of Liuzhou: The Story of Qingyun Morning Market

Our visit to Liuzhou began with a complete immersion into the city's culinary soul: the Qingyun morning market. This vibrant space was a profound symphony of sights, sounds, and smells, a place where every element told a story of daily life.

A Sensory Awakening

The first thing to captivate us was the thick, savory air, heavy with the aroma of street food. The inviting sizzle and smoke drew a crowd around a vendor expertly grilling oysters and shrimps. Equally beautiful was a stall showcasing five-color glutinous rice, a local specialty with hues as brilliant as the morning itself. Deeper inside, we found evidence of the region's love for hearty, rich broths: a pile of pork spines ready for selection at a butcher’s table.

The Pulse of the Market

As the morning progressed, the market’s energy quickened, with groups gathering eagerly for breakfast at the food stands. Yet, Qingyun was more than just prepared meals; it was a celebration of raw ingredients, the labor of the vendors, and the colorful individuals who brought the space to life.

The Faces and Flavors of Commerce

The rhythm of trade was constant. We observed a man selling lotus pods from the ground and a woman at her stall skillfully peeling green mangoes with practiced, swift movements. Adding a touch of eccentricity and fun, one vendor wore a mask while selling cupcakes adorned with peacock and umbrella sticks.

The bounty of the region was on full display. A man carefully picked a bunch of yellow passion fruits, and the array of tempting street food ranged from a simple bowl of tofu pudding to an adventurous serving paired with a copious amount of chili pepper dipping sauce. Fresh produce, like bunches of green mangoes, was abundant alongside unique local fare, such as Yizhou blood sausages in a metal container. We also watched a woman expertly forming rice cakes in white, green, and coffee-brown colors.

Heat, Smoke, and the Butcher's Block

The grilling section was a scene of intense activity, heat, and smoke, with vendors grilling various pieces of meat and meat sheets. All around this activity, a purposeful crowd flowed down the street, moving through the Qingyun morning market.

No such market is complete without its butchery, and the sounds here were primal. Poached chicken rested on a cutting board, and the sharp thwack of a cleaver chopping a chicken leg echoed through the crowded aisle.

Qingyun was far more than a transactional space. It was the beating heart of Liuzhou, a place where the daily rhythm of life was celebrated through a deep, profound connection to food and community.

Gears & Settings

Gears & Settings	Figures
Camera	Sony A6700
Lens	Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN
Creative Style	IN
Date	27 July 2024
Location	Liuzhou, Guangxi, China

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Photos

#: 1 | SS: 1/320s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 84mm | Caption: A person is cooking oysters and shrimps on a grill

#: 2 | SS: 1/320s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 84mm | Caption: A tray of five-color glutinous rice on a stall

#: 3 | SS: 1/200s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 84mm | Caption: A bunch of pork spines on a table

#: 4 | SS: 1/1000s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 84mm | Caption: A group of people standing around a food stand

#: 5 | SS: 1/2000s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 84mm | Caption: A man sitting on the ground selling his lotus pods

#: 6 | SS: 1/800s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 84mm | Caption: A woman is peeling green mango at a street vendor

#: 7 | SS: 1/800s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 84mm | Caption: A man wearing a mask and selling his cup cakes with peacock and umbrella sticks

#: 8 | SS: 1/1000s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm | Caption: A man is picking a bunch of yellow passion fruits at a street vendor

#: 9 | SS: 1/1600s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm | Caption: A bowl of tofu pudding with a spoon in it

#: 10 | SS: 1/2000s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm | Caption: A bowl of tofu pudding with lots of chilli pepper dipping sauce

#: 11 | SS: 1/800s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm | Caption: A bunch of green mangos

#: 12 | SS: 1/800s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm | Caption: Yizhou blood sausages in a metal container

#: 13 | SS: 1/250s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm | Caption: A woman is making rice cakes on a table in white, green, coffee brown colors