A sugary snack which is also a ‘work of art’ is captivating parkgoers to Disney’s California Adventure.
Chinese sugar art is drawing visitors with its intricate designs and cultural significance, all part of Disneyland’s Lunar New Year celebration.
The molten masterpieces are carefully crafted by talented mother-daughter duo, Yujan Sui and Selena Yan.
But the sweet treat is so exquisite and so delicate, that some guests find themselves wondering whether to take a bite of it at all.
The Sweet Enchantments kiosk has become the talk of the festival offering a variety of sugar art creations.
The pair, who hail from Lanzhou, China, transform molten sugar into stunning designs that feel more at home in an art gallery than a theme park.
Their creations feature various symbols of the Chinese zodiac, such as serpents representing the Year of the Snake. They also incorporate whimsical elements like butterflies, pandas, and even dinosaurs.
Describing the process, Yan shared in an interview with SFGate that it is an intricate task. “It’s very, very difficult,” she said. “You have to have a picture in your mind when you’re drawing it. There’s no way you can stop, rethinking the shape or anything.”
Although each piece only takes about a minute to create, the artists put their passion and dedication into every design. The end results are truly remarkable, almost too beautiful to consume.
This year the festival runs from January 17 to February 16 when the sugar stand will be dissolved for another year – but these sugary wonders will be sure to leave behind nothing but sweet memories.
It’s a sticky business but the pièce de résistance of the stand’s offerings is an intricate dragon, available for $15 – a comparatively small price for a chance to hold and taste such a rare treasure.
Simpler designs, including hearts or butterflies, are on sale for $12.
‘It was such a pleasure to work with them last year,’ said Edgar Hernandez, whose nonprofit Working to Give operates the kiosk.
‘They’re like family to us at this point. We love working with them, and we’re glad they were able to come back again this year. She has such a high expectation for how they look, especially when a customer is super excited about seeing these creations
‘If there’s a little kid that says his year is Year of the Dog, she’ll go out of her way to make it,’ Hernandez said. ‘I think part of the reason why she loves being there is because she genuinely just enjoys making people’s days.’
Active.C.A.T posted a sweet video about the limited attraction.
The art of Chinese sugar painting is an ancient tradition, often seen in bustling street markets in China but rarely experienced in the United States.
Sui brought her craft to New York years ago, where it remained a hidden gem until Disney discovered her talent at Dragon Fest, an annual outdoor Chinese food and culture festival that runs each fall in the city.
Last year, the pair estimate they went through around 500 pounds of sugar.
‘In the old days, sugar art was pretty popular,’ Yan explained. ‘You could see the art on the street all the time. Right now, it’s pretty rare to see.’
Now, under the vibrant lanterns of Disney’s Lunar New Year, Sui’s work bridges generations and cultures, bringing a piece of China’s artistic heritage to a global audience.
Each swirl of molten sugar, poured with precision and care, tells a story of resilience, creativity, and a mother’s determination to share her craft with the world.
