Shanxi village transforms through intangible cultural heritage revival

During the Spring Festival holiday, crowds thronged the square of Liujiabao village in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, as troupes performing beigun, or carrying pole dance, and lion dance paraded through the streets to resounding drumbeats. After five consecutive Spring Festival folk custom events, the thousand-year-old village is now affectionately known as a little town of intangible cultural heritage.

Rows of farm courtyards, restored to retain their original appearance, have been transformed into distinctive workshops of intangible cultural heritage. They feature native Shanxi crafts such as black-glazed pottery, huamo — colorful steamed buns — and lacquerware, as well as guqin, the traditional Chinese zither, and tea ceremonies from other provinces.