Tang Dynasty is one of the most prosperous periods in the history of China. The representative food culture of the upper level is Qujiang Feast. Here Qujiang means the Qujiang Garden which is located in the southeast of Xi’an city in Shanxi province. Some of the foreigners who are studying in qualified Mandarin program may be told that Emperor Wu in Han Dynasty ever built Yichun Garden there which was changed as Lotus Garden in Sui Dynasty. When it came to Tang Dynasty, the name was recovered as Qujiang, wining the reputation of the top scenery in the capital area.
At that time, the water area was really large and wide with clear water. There are numerous pavilions and corridors around it for sightseeing and having rest, planting a variety of famous trees and flowers species. Therefore, many noble and men of letters often gathered together in this garden. And the emperor also often traveled there and enjoyed the feast there. The feast held on ever March third was the one with the largest scale in the whole year.
On this day, both lakesides of Qujiang River were decorated with stalks full of the flowers and jewelries as well as some other attracting goods. Many people were attracted to join in this activity, including the officials at all levels and their wives, the monks, Taoist priests as well as the ordinary people, even the emperor and the relatives. In addition, the imperial feast was set in the most famous and luxurious Ziyun Pavilion while the feast of the officials were arranged in the pavilions around it.
When it comes to March 3rd, not only the emperors eat the richest and most delicious food, the ordinary also can enjoy sumptuous foods. Almost everyone wants to show what they eat in this day. At that time, in order to show the stable and prosperous country with peaceful atmosphere, the emperors were enthusiastic on such kind of activity.
In addition, about the Qujiang Feast, the foreigners who come to learn to speak Chinese in China need also know the feast for celebrating the scholars who passed the imperial examination was also held in Qujiang. Such kind of feast has lasted for more than 170 years. Since the cherry is ripe in the period the feast was held, people also called it the Cherry Feast. In all, Qujiang Feast is a reflection of the food custom of the upper level and also that of the imperial palace food culture.