Lixia district in Jinan marked China's Cultural and Natural Heritage Day with a series of exhibitions, performances, and interactive activities, bringing intangible cultural heritage (ICH) closer to the public while showcasing ongoing efforts to preserve and pass on traditional culture.

One of the highlights was the final of the Jinan paper-cutting competition, held at the Shandong Museum. Nearly 150 entries were submitted, with finalists creating original works themed around life in Jinan, demonstrating the creativity and vitality of traditional folk art.

The celebrations also featured a variety of traditional cultural performances and hands-on experiences. At Jinan Hongyang Plaza, demonstrations of traditional sports, including bajiquan (eight-extremities fist) and stone-lock lifting, attracted large audiences.

Meanwhile, Song Dynasty-style (960–1279) markets at Parc 66 and the Shandong Arts & Crafts Exhibition Center showcased 14 ICH projects, offering visitors opportunities to experience traditional flower arranging, qipao (traditional Chinese dress) tailoring, and ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin) pastry making.

The event also highlighted efforts to pass traditional skills on to younger generations. Students from the porcelain engraving club of Jinan Hongyi Primary School demonstrated their craftsmanship, reflecting the growing role of schools in heritage education and nurturing young practitioners.

An artisan stitches a qipao by hand during a Cultural and Natural Heritage Day exhibition in Lixia district, Jinan. [Photo/Haibao News]