Huzhou, a picturesque city in East China's Zhejiang province, is renowned for its gastronomic traditions that celebrate the changing seasons.

As the solar term End of Heat arrived on Aug 23, marking the end of the sweltering summer heat, locals have turned to a beloved dish — duck soup with lotus seeds and lily bulbs — to welcome the early days of autumn.

This traditional soup is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. The duck, sourced from the region's pristine waters, is known for its tender and flavorsome meat. It's slowly simmered to create a rich broth that serves as the foundation of the dish.

The ingredients of the soup include the duck, as well as lotus seeds and lily bulbs. [Photo/Tide News]

Fresh lotus seeds, harvested at their peak, add a sweet, nutty flavor that complements the savory duck. The seeds are prized not only for their taste, but also for their symbolic meaning of prosperity in Chinese culture.

Lily bulbs, with their delicate fragrance and soothing properties, complete the dish, offering a subtle sweetness and a unique texture.

As the seasons change, this soup provides nourishment and comfort, embodying the very essence of autumn in every bowl.