Quzhou, a city steeped in history and tradition in East China's Zhejiang province, is home to a wealth of intangible cultural heritage that continues to thrive in modern times.

Xi'an Gaoqiang

A Xi'an Gaoqiang performance is staged. [Photo/WeChat account: quzhouta]

Xi'an Gaoqiang is a traditional form of opera in Quzhou, which was historically known as Xi'an. Xi'an Gaoqiang is renowned for its vibrant costumes and performances. It retains the essence of Nanxi — one of the oldest types of Chinese opera, originating in the Song Dynasty (960–1279) — in its repertoire, costumes, singing styles, and performance structure, making it useful for Nanxi studies.

Jiuhua's Start of Spring Ceremony

Jiuhua's Start of Spring Ceremony. [Photo/WeChat account: quzhouta]

Every year, Jiuhua township in Kecheng district holds a traditional ceremony to welcome the Start of Spring, or li chun, the first of China's 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese calendar. It is a way to pray for favorable weather and bountiful harvests in the coming year.

Villagers gather annually at the Wutong Ancestral Temple and celebrate the arrival of spring by whipping cattle, which symbolizes the start of spring plowing, and worshipping mangshen, the god of vegetation and agriculture.

Quanwang Board Dragon Dance

The Quanwang Board Dragon Dance. [Photo/WeChat account: quzhouta]

Nights in Quanwang town, Qujiang district, come alive with the Board Dragon Dance. The dragon used in the dance, composed of over a hundred segments, serves as a stunning showcase of traditional crafts like bamboo weaving, woodworking, paper-cutting, and painting. The performers dance with the dragon, creating a breathtaking spectacle under the night sky.