To maintain robust demand for Zibo barbecue, the municipal committee and government of Zibo, in East China's Shandong province, have promoted a raft of supporting measures for this local culinary treat.
Pancakes, scallions and table-top grills are seen as essential items for customers, and the immersive barbecue mode has met the taste and social needs of young customers.
Locals usually wrap their barbecued treats in appetizing pancakes and add scallions. [Photo/app.zbnews.net]
On recent weekends, visitors from surrounding cities, provinces, and even further afield are rushing to try Zibo barbecue. "We locals can't even eat at nearby barbecue restaurants on weekends due to the long queues, so we can only go there to eat from Monday to Thursday," a local citizen surnamed Wei said.
"Zibo barbecue going viral is not accidental," Yin Qidi, head of the city's commerce bureau, said at a news conference held to address the barbecue craze on March 10.
In terms of transportation, Zibo is known to have newly added 21 customized barbecue bus lines and cooperated with China Railway Jinan Group Co Ltd to add weekend railway lines from Zibo to Jinan of Shandong province from March 31 to April 23.
Arranging volunteers at Zibo railway stations, publishing maps marking recommended Zibo barbecue eateries, and providing accommodation discounts for out-of-town students are some of the convenient services Zibo provides.
Previously, the city's culture and tourism bureau, along with 10 representatives from popular Zibo scenic spots, boarded the special weekend train G9321 on April 8 to promote tourism in Zibo and beneficial policies to passengers.
