Jingzhou Fish Cake (Yugao), a famous traditional cuisine of Jingzhou. [Photo by Liu Xuanyi/chinadaily.com.cn]

The cooking style and delicacies of Jingzhou have a history of more than 2,000 years.

A record of dishes and cuisine styles can even be found in ancient literature including Chuci, written by Qu Yuan, an ancient scholar from the Chu State of the Warring States Period (475-221 BC).

Jingzhou has plenty of lakes, rivers and marshlands, and freshwater produce are the major ingredients in local cuisine.

Freshwater fish dishes are very famous in the area, since almost every fish available can be prepared into meals.