A melting pot of fiery flavors

From raw ingredients to simmering broth, an immersive hotpot park reveals heritage, craft and steaming innovation, Tan Yingzi and Deng Rui report in Chongqing.

Embarking on an immersive tour at a renowned hotpot industrial park in Southwest China's Chongqing, known as the nation's hotpot capital, is a surreal yet exhilarating experience for food lovers and culinary pilgrims alike.

On Nov 28, 56-year-old Bu Qifang from Chuzhou, Anhui province, completed what she described as a long-planned post-retirement pilgrimage to Zhoujunji Hotpot Food Industrial Park in Jiulongpo district. A lifelong fan of hotpot, Bu left the place with a large box of spicy Chongqing hotpot soup base, to take home to fellow hotpot enthusiasts in her family.