Food is a cornerstone of the markets and the Jiaodai bazaar in Shaanxi exemplifies this with its diverse offerings. A table laden with delicacies — potato cakes, tofu pudding, cold noodles, pulled noodles, scallion pancakes, pickled fish-shape noodles and many others — all cost just 48 yuan ($6.62) at the bazaar.

Many visitors prefer to enjoy their breakfast at these lively stalls, according to Yang. "Seeing a line makes people curious and eager to line up also and try the food," Yang says. "The communal atmosphere enhances the taste and chatting with vendors adds a personal touch that goes beyond the food itself."

Wang Shengzhi believes that the finest foods are those that remain true to their origins. Unaffected by trendy food fads and geographical constraints, local cuisines maintain their unique characteristics, including their imperfections. "I'm drawn to food with 'flaws' — those authentic county and town specialties. Such foods are what I am keen to feature in future projects."