At the Beijing Daoxiangcun Zero Discovery Store in Longfu Temple, a remarkable demonstration recently unfolded as intelligent robots worked in tandem with master pastry chefs. Under the watchful guidance of their human instructors, these robotic apprentices flawlessly executed a sequence of steps involving pouring ingredients, mixing dough, operating molds, and applying egg wash, ultimately producing a batch of Beijing-style pastries stamped with robot-themed designs.
This year, Beijing Daoxiangcun has entered into a partnership with Ruierman Intelligent Robotics, launching a campaign under the theme "Intelligent Apprentice: Daoxiang Learning Crafts," which highlights a distinctive crossover between intangible cultural heritage techniques and embodied artificial intelligence. Together, they are crafting a Mid-Autumn Festival experience that blends Beijing's traditional charm with contemporary innovation.
The initiative was first showcased publicly at the 2026 World Robot Conference, where Daoxiangcun craftsmen and a chef-hat-wearing RealBOT robot teamed up to demonstrate the delicate art of making Beijing-style flaky five-nut mooncakes. Building on the success of that event, the project has now transitioned into regular consumer-facing sessions at the Zero Discovery Store, running continuously until the festival holiday.
Visitors to the store can observe the fascinating collaboration between robotics and human skill firsthand. Beijing Daoxiangcun explained that these real-world settings provide invaluable opportunities for robots to gather detailed data on traditional mooncake crafting methods, representing a proactive step by this century-old brand toward integrating "AI Plus" initiatives, fostering new productive forces, and preserving intangible heritage.
The brand has unveiled a collection of 15 mooncake gift box sets for this season, with pricing largely falling between RMB 100 and RMB 200. The packaging designs draw inspiration from urban landscapes, historical architecture, and traditional Chinese ceremonial music culture, resulting in distinctive themes such as "Nine Dragons Bringing Fortune" and "Harmony Amidst Autumn in Beijing." Recognizing the diverse preferences of modern consumers, a "Low Sugar Moonlight" collection combines flavors from Beijing, Guangdong, Taiwan, and Suzhou styles, using ingredients like highland barley, quinoa, chia seeds, and dendrobium for a highly customizable option.
Additionally, a new "Ancient Capital New Moon" set in authentic Beijing style showcases three innovative varieties: flaky mooncakes filled with egg yolk and pistachio, rose and pine nut, and yellow peach. These offerings bring a contemporary twist to time-honored preparation techniques. Several individual flavors have also been refreshed for the season. The "Tijiang Coconut Mooncake" combines rich coconut filling with tangy cranberries, while the new "Cheese Egg-Baked Mooncake" presents a soft Shanxi-style cake texture with aromatic egg and cheese notes. Another "Black Sesame Egg-Baked Mooncake" wraps a creamy black sesame filling in a tender crust.
In celebration of the festival, limited-edition "Flourishing Flower Cakes" and "Full Moon Cakes" will be available, featuring navel orange and milk osmanthus fillings that capture the essence of autumn. Select store locations will also offer freshly baked three-dimensional rabbit-shaped pastries and a Beijing-style dessert called "Moon Gazing Cake," designed to evoke the holiday spirit.
Extending the experience beyond traditional retail settings, Beijing Daoxiangcun has launched its 2026 Mid-Autumn series across official mini-programs and major e-commerce platforms such as Tmall and JD.com, as well as all physical locations, ensuring comprehensive reach for customers everywhere. Starting September 1st, purchases made through the official mini-program will qualify for promotional offers, including custom insulated oven mitts as gifts.
An online interactive campaign titled "Intangible Heritage in Motion: Celebrating Mid-Autumn" encourages participants to share exercise routes themed around the festival for a chance to win authentic Beijing-style mooncakes. As the bright moon illuminates the ancient capital's autumn scenery, each mooncake serves as a vessel carrying sentiments of reunion and auspicious wishes, combining the time-honored tastes of Beijing with innovative expressions of cultural heritage.