Cultural heritage breathes life into ancient street in Longwan

On the first day of the New Year holiday, the Salt Culture Square in Siqian Street, Longwan district, Wenzhou hosted an art festival, offering visitors a vibrant array of activities, including concerts, Wenzhou guci (meaning drumbeat lyrics, a type of folk singing), and hands-on experiences of intangible cultural heritage items like lacquer painting and sugar painting.

Calligraphers write the Chinese character "福", which means "good fortune", for visitors. [Photo/Tide News]

Additionally, photographers took family portraits and calligraphers wrote auspicious couplets for free during the festival. Along the banks of the Siqian River, a photography exhibition documenting the development of Longwan was also held.

A man browses a photo exhibition themed on the development history of Longwan. [Photo/Tide News]

Siqian Street is an old street in Longwan with a history of nearly a thousand years. In February 2023, Longwan district launched a renovation project, aiming to showcase the rich heritage of salt production and local customs. Siqian Street is expected to reopen in the first half of 2024 and will feature unique events like the Dragon Lantern Festival.