An ancient commercial town in Zhoucun, a district of Zibo known for its silk industry, has become a hot tourist spot [Photo by Ju Chuanjiang]

Shaobing was a luxury item only the rich could afford to eat often in the past.

For the common folks, it was served on festive occasions, such as weddings and birthdays, for its traditional connotations of reunion and well being.

The turning point came in 1958 when Guo joined the state-owned Zhoucun Shaobing Company with his family recipe and techniques and taught workers how to make the breads.

In 1961 the factory patented the shaobing method and now has the exclusive right to call its products "Zhoucun Shaobing" after the district.