Chinese City Seizes on Spicy Food Frenzy, Before Crowds Fade
- Foodies head to Tianshui out west to try numbing dry pot
- Consumers seek cheap dishes, trips amid economic woes
The influx of tourists to the Chinese city was sudden and overwhelming. Government offices opened their normally restricted parking lots to accommodate the surge. Railway operators extended train services. Officials held a snap meeting to discuss what to do next.
All this over a 15 yuan ($2.10) bowl of meat and vegetables mixed with a tongue-numbing spicy sauce.