Traditionally, families in Kunshan enjoyed sitting around coal stoves and chatting with each other. Heat radiated from the stoves not only kept people warm, but also helped dry clothes and roast sweet potatoes. Some households in the villages of Kunshan still have coal stoves today.

People use coal stoves to cook food and keep warm in winter. [Photo/ksdjq.com]

Cotton-padded shoes and jackets

Old people in Kunshan made cotton-padded shoes and jackets for themselves. A jacket may be worn year after year by mending and patching. These shoes and jackets are now hardly seen on the market, however, shops on Zhenfeng cultural street may still demonstrate the traditional skills and patterns of them.

Handmade shoes take visitors back to the past in Kunshan. [Photo/ksdjq.com]

A combination of rice wine and braised mutton may be a good choice to help keep the cold at bay in winter. Wansan pork shank, one of the most famous foods in Kunshan, is a warm and satisfying treat on a cold day as well.

Mutton soup is favored by Kunshan residents in winter. [Photo/ksdjq.com]