More than 20 students and teachers from the YES program in the United States embarked on a study tour in Tai'an on Jan 2. They arrived at the foot of Mount Tai to experience Taishan shadow puppetry and Taishan tofu making, immersing themselves in the charm of traditional Chinese culture.

The national-level intangible cultural heritage of Taishan shadow puppetry, with a history of over 600 years, is an ancient folk art treasure. Inside the Taishan Shadow Puppetry Training Center, students from the US were captivated by the shadow puppet performance, completely engrossed in this extraordinary world of shadow puppets.

During the event, they developed an interest in the backstage of the shadow puppet performance, eagerly exploring behind the stage. Under the guidance of the puppeteers, they saw the making and performance of shadow puppets.

Tofu is a common ingredient in Chinese cuisine that offers a balanced mix of grains and legumes for nutrition. In May 2021, traditional Taishan tofu making declared by Tai'an's Taishan district was selected for the fifth batch of the national-level intangible cultural heritage representative list.

At the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Traditional Tofu Making Heritage Experience Center in Daimiao sub-district, heritage inheritor Wang Xiaogang shared the history of tofu and the characteristics of Taishan tofu with the US youth, teaching them how to make tofu.

"Taishan shadow puppetry represents Chinese culture, especially that of Mount Tai. It can depict complex stories through simple artistic forms, making it a beautiful art form. Each step in the tofu-making process carries cultural significance, embodying the essence of Chinese culture," Henry Swenson said.

More than 20 students and teachers from the YES program in the US embark on a study tour in Tai'an on Jan 2. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]