ZIBO, CHINA: A sleepy industrial city of 4.7 million in eastern China, Zibo is not usually known as a tourist hotspot but receives thousands of tourists for its famous but cheap barbecue.
When Zhang, a Zibo native, travelled home for his wedding the previous month, he was amazed by witnessing the “outrageous” deluge of tourists. The biggest attraction for tourists was Zibo barbecue on the cheap, selling for as low as 2 yuan ($0.30) each.
Zhang told the BBC, “Going back to the city had never been an issue before, but this time, I could not assure my friends that I could secure hotel reservations or high-speed rail tickets for them, let alone find a location for a BBQ dinner.”
Since China lifted its Covid restrictions in January, Zibo has become the subject of a social media craze. Millions of domestic tourists have flocked to the provincial capital of Shandong’s previously unknown city, drawn by influencers and the chance to let off steam after oppressive lockdowns.
The uploaded Zibo video reveals a busy scene with people eating and drinking. People can be seen dancing and singing around their dining tables in a video posted on the Chinese social media site Xiaohongshu. Some people are also waving light sticks. The person who shared the video explained that there was an outdoor karaoke session and that everyone was fervently eating and singing.
One of the favourite cuisines of the nation, especially in the west and north of China, barbecue is typically made of small chunks of marinated meat and vegetable grilled and skewered on charcoal. Locals in Zibo especially enjoy rolling the grilled skewers in thin scallions and pancakes.
Many online influencers now call Zibo the “outdoor barbecue capital of China.” The president of Zibo’s Barbecue Association claimed that there are currently over 1279 barbeque joints in the city.
