Recently, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism revealed the sixth batch of national intangible cultural heritage inheritors, with 58 selected from Guangdong. The province boasts a rich tapestry of traditions, from dance and craftsmanship to traditional medicine. Here are some of Guangdong's cultural treasures, with top spots to experience them up close.
Lion dance
Lion dance is a lively performance symbolizing the expulsion of evil spirits and the arrival of good fortune. Combining martial arts, dance, and music, it is a key part of festivals and celebrations in Guangdong. Guangzhou's Shakeng lion dance, Zhanjiang's high-pole lion dance, and Foshan's powerful lion dances each have their distinct styles.
(Photo: Zhanjiang Fabu)
(Photo: Foshan Foreign Affairs Bureau)
Where to experience (available every day):- Lingnan Impression Garden, Guangzhou (岭南印象园): No. 1 Outer Ring Road, Panyu District, Guangzhou (广州市番禺区外环西路1号岭南印象园)
- Foshan Ancestral Temple (佛山祖庙): No. 21 Zumiao Road, Chancheng District, Foshan (佛山市禅城区祖庙路21号)
- Tianhu Park, Foshan (佛山天湖公园): Xiqiao Mountain Scenic Area, Nanhai District, Foshan (佛山市南海区西樵山景区)
Yingge
Originating from Guangdong's Chaoshan region, Yingge dance, literally the Songs of Heroes dance, is a traditional folk dance based on the stories of the 108 heroes from the classic novel Outlaws of the Marsh. The dance is usually performed during festivals and celebrations, and dancers tend to wear colorful costumes and props such as masks, snakes, spears, and drums as they perform acrobatic movements and stunts.
(Photo: Xinhua)
Yingge dance peaks during the Chinese New Year and other cultural celebrations in the Chaoshan area. Since last year, every Saturday evening, Jieyang Tower Square has hosted free cultural performances featuring top Yingge troupes, alongside other intangible cultural heritage displays such as lion and dragon dances, Chaozhou Opera, and guqin music, attracting many visitors.
(Photo: Jieyang Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau)
Where to experience:
- Jieyang Tower Square (揭阳楼广场): About 140 meters west of the intersection of Huanshi North Road and Xinyang East Road, Jiedong District, Jieyang (揭阳市揭东区环市北路与新阳东路交叉路口往西约140米)
Guangdong paper cutting
Guangdong paper cutting is a traditional art form with distinctive styles from Foshan, Chaoyang, and Chaozhou. The technique involves cutting or engraving paper with chisels, and designs can be left in their natural color or enhanced with dyes.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Foshan paper cutting is known for its versatility, with nine categories based on materials such as paper, copper, wood, and brass. The most common methods are cutting and carving. Chaoyang paper cutting, from the Chaoshan region, often features themes of good fortune, festivals, and daily life, with an emphasis on symmetry. Chaozhou paper cutting typically depicts flowers, animals, figures, and landscapes.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Renowned national intangible cultural heritage inheritors Rao Baolian and Zhang Xiangming run paper-cutting studios in Foshan and Chaozhou, where visitors can learn and experience the art firsthand.
(Photo: Foshan News Media Center)
Where to experience:- Rao Baolian Foshan paper-cut workshop (饶宝莲佛山剪纸工作室): No.12, Nanfeng Kiln Cross Lane, No.6 Gaomiao Road, Shiwan Town, Chancheng District, Foshan (佛山市禅城区石湾镇高庙路6号南风古灶十字巷12号)
- Foshan Rao Baolian Gold and Copper Chisel Paper-cut Guicheng Art Museum (佛山饶宝莲金铜凿剪纸桂城艺术馆): 6th floor, Pingzhou Cultural Center, Jianshe Street, Yongan Road, Guicheng Sub-district, Nanhai District, Foshan (佛山市南海区桂城街道永安路建设大街文化中心南翼6楼)
Shiwan ceramics making technique
Shiwan ceramics, originating from the Shiwan area in Foshan's Chancheng District, are a longstanding folk craft with a history dating back over 5,000 years. The region's rich clay provides ideal conditions for pottery-making. Known for their vivid, expressive forms and thick, earthy textures, Shiwan ceramic decorations are showcased at many temples and ancestral halls, such as the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou, Ancestral Temple in Foshan, and Yuecheng Longmu Ancestral Temple in Huizhou.
(Photo: Guangdong Shiwan Ceramics Museum)
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (Photo: Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau)
Where to experience:- Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Guangzhou (陈家祠): No. 34, Enlong Li, Zhongshan 7th Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou (广州市荔湾区中山七路恩龙里34号)
- Guangdong Shiwan Ceramics Museum, Foshan (广东石湾陶瓷博物馆): Nanfeng Kiln, No. 5 to 6 Gaomiao Road, Chancheng District, Foshan (佛山市禅城区高庙路5-6号南风古灶)
Herbal tea
In the hot and humid climate of Guangdong, locals have developed herbal tea as a traditional remedy, guided by the principles of Chinese medicine. Made from various herbs, this refreshing drink has a history of hundreds of years. Over time, it has been refined and passed down through generations, and herbal tea shops have become a unique part of the Lingnan cultural landscape.
(Photo: Liwan Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports Bureau)
As "China Travel" gains popularity, herbal tea has become a "must-try challenge" for some foreign visitors to Guangdong. Different herbal teas serve different purposes, such as clearing heat, relieving dryness, and boosting energy. If you're curious to try, it's recommended to ask the shop staff for advice based on your symptoms.
(Photo: Guangzhou Yuexiu Fabu)
Where to experience:- Guangdong Herbal Tea Museum (广东省凉茶博物馆): No.2 Jinfengyuan Road, Guangzhou Science City, Huangpu District, Guangzhou (广州市黄埔区科学城金峰园路2号)
- Shiqi Exopathy Liangcha Cultural Hall (石岐外感凉茶非遗文化馆): No.6, Shengwugu Avenue, Zhongshan (中山市生物谷大道6号)
- Local herbal tea shops on the streets
Shahe Rice Noodle making technique
Shahe Rice Noodle, originating from the Shahe community in Guangzhou, is a beloved traditional dish. These broad, white noodles have a slightly slippery, elastic, and chewy texture. Typically stir-fried with meat, vegetables, oil, and spices, they are best known as the popular chow fun dish.
(Photo: Haizhu Wetland)
Where to experience:- Shahe Rice Noodle Village Restaurant (沙河粉村): First floor, Yuntai Garden, Guangyuan Middle Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou (广州市越秀区广园中路云台花园首层)
- Shahe Rice Noodle Experience Hall (沙河粉体验馆): No.168, Xinjiao Middle Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou (广州市海珠区新滘中路168号)
Poster | Lai Meiya
Editor | Wei Shen, Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
Source: GDToday
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