Along a busy Anhui expressway, a unique local agricultural delicacy has become an unexpected highlight for international visitors. At Fengle Service Station, a group of foreign content creators, led by UK national Joe Burns, got a first-hand taste of Jinsi Jiaogua, better known as Golden Silk Squash, the eye-catching Anhui specialty that has recently risen to national fame.
Bred and cultivated locally in Sixian County, Anhui, Golden Silk Squash has a surprising trait that sets it apart from common produce: when cooked, its flesh naturally unravels into thin, noodle-like strands that look strikingly similar to spaghetti, despite being a variety of squash. This unusual characteristic, combined with its fresh, mild flavor, has made it a standout regional food product.
The vegetable catapulted to broader national attention earlier this year, when it was featured as a highlighted local specialty during both the 2026 Spring Festival and Lantern Festival galas, two of China’s most-watched annual cultural events. The service station tasting, organized to showcase Anhui’s local agricultural and cultural treasures to international guests, gave the creators a chance to experience the viral specialty directly and share their impressions with global audiences.
For visitors traveling through Anhui, stops at highway service stations have increasingly become opportunities to engage with local culture rather than just brief rest breaks. This event reflects a growing trend of integrating regional food promotion into roadside travel infrastructure, helping lesser-known local specialties gain exposure both domestically and internationally.