Children from Fenghuang town in East China's Jiangsu province sing Heyang folk songs at an intangible cultural heritage exhibition on June 11. The exhibition is held to welcome China's first Culture and Natural Heritage Day, which fell on June 10 this year. [Photo/zjg.wenming.cn]

Fenghuang town in East China's Jiangsu province held an intangible cultural heritage exhibition on June 11, welcoming China's Culture and Natural Heritage Day, which falls on the second Saturday in June every year.

A township boasting significant cultural elements and abundant tourism resources, Fenghuang displayed a total of 18 heritages, including the national-ranked Heyang folk song – an ancient artistic style formed over 1,000 years ago and sung by generations of local farmers while rolling boats, transplanting seedlings, threshing grain and carrying loads.

The heritages, named after the sacred Heyang Hill, were definitely eye-catching. For example, in the Heyang Temple Fair, falling every year on the 22nd day of the third lunar month, local residents host sacrificial ceremonies, sing folk songs in antiphonal styles, and exchange agricultural products.

The dried bean curd made by Master Xie Jianzhong roused great interest among the visitors. Inspired from eleven ancient techniques originated from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Xie's specialty brings out a tender, fresh and slightly salty taste that has won wide popularity among residents living in Fenghuang and surrounding areas.

This was the first exhibition held in Fenghuang to feature so many intangible cultural heritages. Adhering to the spirit of inheriting and carrying forward, Fenghua will continue to infuse its culture with vigor and vitality.

Visitors examine a bull-shaped handicraft at the intangible cultural heritage exhibition held in Fenghuang town, Jiangsu province on June 11. [Photo/zjg.wenming.cn]