Various traditional items of intangible cultural heritage or ICH in Xinghua city, East China's Jiangsu province, continue to infuse local people's lives with joy and inspiration that contribute to the city's urban and rural development.
For instance, Daoqing, a traditional performing art that combines storytelling, singing and acting, is beloved by local people. Folk artists often hold their percussion instruments made of bamboo and perform in small theaters, tea houses and in other places.
Zheng Banqiao, a renowned artist and poet who was born in Xinghua and was active in the 18th century, loved this art form and wrote 10 poems for Daoqing, which are sung and recited to this day.
Artists perform Daoqing in the Zheng Banqiao Memorial Hall in Xinghua. [Photo/WeChat account: xinghuafabu]
The building of wooden boats is another form of ICH that is an integral part of people's lives in Xinghua, where the crisscrossing river network makes boats closely related to the production and life of the water town people.
Since the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), the production of wooden boats has become a way of life in the city's Zhuhong town.
In 2012, the Xinghua Zhuhong Wooden Boat Cultural Industry Park was established, becoming a demonstration base that has gradually integrated with the local cultural industry and cultural tourism.
A tranquil scene features a wonderful Zhuhong wooden boat. [Photo/WeChat account: xinghuafabu]
Elsewhere, Xinghua's production of wooden pole scales has a long history. The production of wooden pole scales is a delicate craft with complex processes. Each process must be strictly followed, according to the exacting standards and requirements of scales making.
At present, the largest pole scale produced and preserved there has a length of 2 meters and weighs 115 kilograms, which is rare in the country.
Wooden pole scales, still made today, are once essential weighing instruments for the grain trade and commerce in Xinghua. [Photo/WeChat account: xinghuafabu]