What began as a small post from a daughter worried that her elderly father might lack the strength to carry out the traditional pig slaughter ritual turned into a national phenomenon. Thousands from across China drove thousands of kilometers to help, turning a quiet village into a lively pig feast that overnight became a folk cultural festival.
The story began on 9 January when a young woman named Daidai, owner of a Douyin account, from Qingfu Village, Hechuan District, Chongqing, posted a video expressing concern that her father, over 70 years old, was losing the strength to perform the village’s age-old year-end tradition of "pig slaughter" alone.
She playfully invited anyone with the strength to come help her father conduct the "Paozhutang" ceremony—a customary feast held after the pig slaughter to prepare for the Lunar New Year. Normally, neighbors help catch the pig, scrape its hair, and butcher the meat before gathering to share a large meal.
Unexpectedly, within 48 hours her video garnered nearly 500,000 likes. By the weekend, all roads leading to Qingfu Village were gridlocked with traffic jams stretching over 10 kilometers. People from distant provinces like Guangdong traveled with gifts as if visiting close relatives.
With crowds swelling beyond 3,000, the two pigs Daidai initially prepared were insufficient. Neighbors and the local Culture and Tourism Bureau donated an additional three pigs, totaling five, to host the visitors.
Scenes in the village showcased impressive community spirit without social division—luxury Porsche owners rolled up their sleeves to wash large piles of dishes, groups of mothers sat on low benches chopping vegetables as if tackling a mountain, and strong young men banded together to help catch pigs per the original post’s request.
To satisfy the crowds’ hunger, the "Yanzi" catering team was urgently called in. Head chef Jiang Xiaoyan, with 16 years’ experience cooking village Chinese banquets, said it was the most exhausting event of her life. She estimated needing over 500 kilograms of rice, 350 kilograms of cooking oil, and several truckloads of fresh vegetables, with ingredient costs alone potentially exceeding 100,000 yuan (approximately 500,000 baht).
Hechuan district authorities promptly deployed traffic police and municipal officers to assist and took the opportunity to promote tourism by distributing free tickets to Diaoyucheng Fortress and presenting a traditional molten iron firework show for visitors.
Daidai became an overnight celebrity, with her followers jumping from a few hundred to two million in days. Netizens affectionately commented, "She is the first person in history to dare to feed the entire country." Reports indicate local authorities are considering proposals from netizens to officially designate 11 January as the "Hechuan Pig Slaughter Festival," celebrating the region’s friendship and rich cultural heritage going forward.
. SourceChina Daily