'Cultural ice creams' cater to cravings for nation's rich history

 

Walking through the majestic Old Summer Palace in Beijing, most visitors feel a deep connection to history that is only possible in places steeped in such grandeur.

The sunlight falls on Fuhai Lake, and the air is thick with the scent of willow trees, blending with the subtle fragrance of lotus flowers floating on the water.

But what if you could capture this essence? Hold it in your hands, or even taste it?

Zheng Aonan, a designer known for blending cultural heritage with contemporary trends, believes the answer lies in the unlikely form of ice cream.

"When I was asked to design a line of ice cream products for the Old Summer Palace, the first image that came to mind, like many visitors, was the palace ruins and its picturesque gardens," Zheng recalled.

"But then, through my research, I discovered the annual lotus festival where hundreds of varieties of lotuses bloom across the scenic area."

Inspired by this, he created a series of lotus-shaped ice creams on a stick, with popular flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. The design of the lotus ice cream was also inspired by the stone carvings found in the ruins.

 

Melting moments

In recent years, "cultural" and "creative" ice creams, which are offered at scenic spots, amusement parks, and museums, have become a much-loved social media trend. The ice creams, some handmade, usually feature decorative designs and special flavors and mainly range in price from 10 yuan to 30 yuan.

Holding one of the special ice creams and sharing a photo on social media has become a "must-do" activity for many visitors, that amplifies their cultural experience.

The lotus ice cream became a hit, and was one of Zheng's first cultural food creations. Nearly a decade later, Zheng, 41, has partnered with hundreds of domestic tourist attractions including the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, and the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, Gansu province — designing over 1,000 culture-related ice creams.

"For me, each design is a form of 'cultural decoding'," Zheng said. "It's about choosing representative symbols — ones that are not only visually compelling, but also match the texture and quality of the ice cream itself.

"My goal is always to create an experience that leaves a lasting impression on visitors, whether they're at a museum or a scenic spot."

Zheng said there are three ways to represent cultural elements in creative ice creams. Iconic architecture and historical artifacts are two, and when there is no specific object, he uses image editing to craft a narrative that is transformed into a bas-relief or sculptural design.

"This approach lets the history or essence of a cultural symbol come to life in a visually stunning, edible form," he added.

Simply mimicking an iconic image, like a famous stone sculpture or artifact, isn't enough for Zheng.

"Ice cream is textured, moldable, and edible. So, the design must consider these qualities, while still capturing the essence of the symbol. Overly literal interpretations of cultural symbols might not work well. Sometimes, creative reimaginings are necessary to maintain both the authenticity and the fun of the product."

Originally from Jinan, Shandong province, Zheng graduated from Shandong University of Art and Design in 2007. His career began in contemporary art and space design, but using ice cream as a medium was a new and exciting challenge for him.

One of his most memorable projects was creating ice cream for Baotu Spring, a scenic spot in Jinan, renowned for its bubbling, crystal-clear waters, and considered a symbol of the city.

Zheng said he has visited the scenic landmark countless times since he was a child. When he designed the ice cream, he tried to combine the image of the spring and the park with how he felt about them. "The design was centered on the natural purity of water — fresh and flowing — just like my memories of the spring," he said.

The ice cream was a hit with locals and visitors, and just as importantly, Zheng's family. "They were so proud of the product," he said.

Another of Zheng's popular creations is the West Lake ice cream in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. The frozen treat was inspired by the Duanqiao (or Broken) Bridge, an iconic site tied to the Legend of the White Snake, a love story with supernatural elements.

The ice cream has two parts, each representing the story's main characters, Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen, who overcome great adversity to be together. The two sticks in the ice cream are united to represent the memorable reunion of the two lovers in the legend.

"The idea was to make the experience interactive, giving tourists a way to immerse themselves in the story," Zheng explained. "It's like when you plan a trip by reading travel guides — the most meaningful experiences are the ones that tourists themselves share. By understanding this, I can create ice creams that resonate with visitors and reflect the essence of a place."