With the temperature dropping in the autumn season, people in China are changing their diet to include more hearty dishes that will help them preserve more energy for the upcoming winter. Dining tables across the country are filling up with regional autumn specialties and Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province is home to several must-eat delicacies that will warm a diner's soul and satiate their tastebuds.

Swimming crabs

Steamed swimming crabs. [Photo/WeChat account: zsqdly]

Autumn is the best time to enjoy crabs in the year. Among the various crabs, swimming crabs are a favorite among Zhoushan natives.

Salt baked crabs, braised crabs, scallion oil crabs, and stir-fried rice cake with crabs are commonly seen on dining tables across the city.