Nine Shanxi snacks won "top bites in travel" awards at a ceremony held in Beijing on Nov 18, with Shanxi ranking third overall in the competition.

The foods are specialties from local cities and counties, such as fried dough twists from Yuncheng, and Guanyun Beef from Pingyao county. Most of them have a long history.

The event was organized by the China Tourism Association and China Tourist Hotels Association. More than 300 snacks and dishes from provinces, cities and districts across China joined in the selection with 200 awards handed out. Sichuan and Jiangsu were the top two winners as both had 10 dishes selected.  

This pastry from Shouyang county (Shouyang chashi) is a combination of pancake and mooncake with sweet fillings. The snack is an intangible cultural heritage from Shanxi province. [Photo/sxrb.com]

Guanyun beef from Pingyao county can easily whet people's appetite due to its tender taste and rosy color. The strict control process in the production and selection of raw materials have made the brand nationally renowned. Its traditional processing techniques have been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. [Photo/sxrb.com]