Yangzhou cultural gems amaze audiences in Eastern Asia

A face-changing rod puppet show by a Yangzhou performer at the "Charm of Jiangsu" cultural tourism promotion conference in Fukuoka, Japan, on June 18. [Photo/Wechat account: yzs_lyj]

The "Charm of Jiangsu" cultural tourism promotion conference made its way to Seoul, South Korea on June 16 and 17, and then to Fukuoka, Japan on June 18 and 19, unveiling the stunning cultural gems of Yangzhou, a renowned ancient city in East China's Jiangsu province.

During both presentations, Yangzhou showcased its world-class intangible cultural heritages, including Yangzhou guqin (or Chinese zither, a plucked seven-string musical instrument of the zither family), Yangzhou woodblock printing, and Fuchun pastries.

Both events commenced with a captivating performance of Yangzhou guqin music, gently revealing the beauty of Jiangsu amid the melodious sound.

In Seoul, guests were introduced to the Fuchun tea and savored one of Yangzhou's signature delicacies, the exquisite "Emerald Shaomai" (a traditional Chinese dumpling usually served as a dim sum), which received high praise.

The wooden movable types of the Three Hundred Tang Poems, an anthology of poems from the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the Ten Bamboo Studio Catalogue of Letter Paper, a masterpiece of China's watermark woodcut print from the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and other exquisite cultural and creative products captivated the guests. They also had the opportunity to experience the woodblock printing process firsthand under the guidance of intangible cultural heritage masters.

To strengthen closer ties with local cultural tourism enterprises in Seoul and establish strategic partnerships, a signing ceremony for strategic cooperation between the two regions' cultural tourism enterprises was held during the promotional conference.

In Fukuoka, a mesmerizing face-changing rod puppet show enthralled the audience. Fuchun tea and woodblock printing also garnered significant attention from guests and locals, drawing in numerous visitors eager to experience these cultural delights.

Through these promotional activities, Yangzhou provided a comprehensive display of its historical culture, tourism resources, intangible cultural heritage, scenic beauty, and delicious cuisine to international audiences. Moving forward, Yangzhou is committed to further enhancing cultural exchanges and tourism cooperation with South Korea and Japan.