Eating insects: Strange or courageous?

Lijiang reinforced the reputable affinity of its residents for enjoying insects with an insect eating competition organized in Lijiang's scenic zone on June 25.

Located at the foot of Yulong Snow Mountain, the scenic zone is an ancient town famous for its romantic parks and performances. The zone provided participants from across the country with local ethnic costumes and the chance to compete with each other.

Some ten varieties of insects, including locusts, dragonflies, silkworms and scorpions, were oil-fried for the competition.

Insects dishes are offered during the competition in Lijiang on June 25. [Photo/chinanews.com]

Insects are high in protein. People in Yunnan have been eating insects many centuries before the rest of the world began realizing their potential as a sustainable source of protein.

A tourist from Chongqing won the competition by eating 1.23 kilograms of bamboo larvae and locusts in five minutes for his first time ever eating insects!

Competitors from across the country eat insects in Lijiang's scenic zone for the insect eating competition on June 25. [Photo/chinanews.com]

Even the most adventurous foodie, with an eat-anything attitude, may find their appetites curbed at the sight of the insects dishes on offer for the competition.

A tourist eats insects with both hands in Lijiang's scenic zone on June 25. [Photo/chinanews.com]

Edited by Zachary Dye