A qipao fashion show is staged in Taizhou, Jiangsu. [Photo/Taizhou Daily]
The 2025 Cultural and Natural Heritage Day celebrations in Taizhou commenced at the Fengcheng River scenic area on the evening of June 14, marking the launch of a series of activities that bring traditional culture to life.
A key highlight was the Intangible Cultural Heritage Shopping Month, featuring 25 projects including traditional craftsmanship, creative cultural products, cuisine, and traditional Chinese medicine. Live demonstrations, interactive workshops, and product displays gave visitors hands-on access to the richness of Taizhou's cultural heritage.
Booths displaying various ICH items are set up. [Photo/Taizhou Daily]
One spotlight event was a live demonstration of Guangling flower arrangement, a city-level ICH. Inheritor Yu Hong presented elegant floral designs using hydrangeas, peonies, and dahlias. Alongside this, other traditional crafts such as Hailing pyrography and Xinghua paper-cutting were also exhibited. Visitors also enjoyed trendy heritage items, such as miniature sculptures and tiger-head shoes, and sampled iconic local treats, including Huangqiao cold meat and Jiangyan crispy snacks.
Visitors watch a martial arts performance. [Photo/Taizhou Daily]
A series of ICH-themed performances lit up the evening. A melodious ballad set the stage for an elegant qipao fashion show. This was followed by a martial arts presentation, featuring Hailing-style boxing, weapon sparring, and freestyle combat. The finale, a multi-opera medley, presented the charm of Peking Opera, Huaiju Opera, and Xiju Opera.
In addition, themed exhibitions, such as an illustrated guide to China's Cultural Relics Protection Law and photo displays of new archaeological discoveries, offered a more profound insight into the city's heritage preservation efforts.
This year, Taizhou has curated 50 themed events, ranging from community-based ICH experiences to in-depth museum explorations. Together, they invite the public to shop, taste, and travel through the vibrant world of ICH.