Guangrao County Showcases Folk Intangible Cultural Heritage with Global Flair

DONGYING, China, March 5, 2026 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

In Shandong Province, China, lies Guangrao, a “Millennium-Old County” recognized by the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names. With a history dating back to the Han Dynasty, it is the birthplace of Sun Tzu (author of The Art of War), the cradle of Shandong’s Lyu Opera, and the origin of the renowned Qi Brush.

 

During the 2026 Lunar Year of the Horse, the county hosted a spectacular folk intangible cultural heritage parade, showcasing the contemporary vitality of Chinese tradition to global audiences. Over 1,100 performers blended intangible heritage skills with festive customs, delivering a cultural feast that was both time-honored and contemporary.

 

The parade featured majestic dragon and lion dances, yangko folk performances, and land-boat acts. A highlight was the creative use of horse motifs: the provincial-level intangible heritage “Zhongjia Bamboo Horse Dance” dazzled with performers maneuvering colorful bamboo horse props to recreate dynamic scenes of galloping steeds. Children dressed as playful “little horse” mascots added joy and charm, and themed floats featuring dynamic horse sculptures fused heritage symbols with auspicious Year of the Horse imagery – expressing Guangrao’s spirit of advancing through preservation and innovation.

 

As one of China’s top 100 counties, Guangrao merges folk heritage with modern industry, reflecting a community thriving in harmony and vitality.