Coastal intangible cultural heritage fair concludes, offering immersive intercultural feast

A vibrant cultural fair highlighting China’s intangible cultural heritage coupled with a public service bazaar kicked off at K11 ECOAST on June 13.

Organized by the Zhaoshang Subdistrict Office, the event is part of a cultural exchange series under the "Asia-Pacific Circle of Friends" brand. The initiative leverages the Nanshan International Cultural Exchange and Service Center (NSIC) to foster community and international connection.

Guests pose for a group photo at the opening ceremony of the Zhaoshang Subdistrict Intangible Cultural Heritage Fair held at K11 ECOAST in Nanshan District on June 13. Photos courtesy of the event organizers

The opening ceremony featured a ribbon-cutting attended by officials from the Zhaoshang Subdistrict Office, representatives from the K11 management, the director-general of the Southwind International Service, and several international volunteers, officially launching the cultural journey.

A tai chi performance at the fair's opening ceremony. 

Set against a scenic backdrop of mountains and the sea, the bustling fair featured a wide array of heritage booths. Visitors swarmed the traditional arts and food stalls, where they watched craftsmen demonstrate intricate skills like dough sculpting, traditional bird-and-flower calligraphy, and the making of Long Xu Tang (dragon beard candy). Many attendees tried their hand at these crafts, experiencing the charm of ancient traditions.

A shadow pupptry show at the fair. 

Interactive booths featuring ancient sports like Chuiwan (a golf-like game) and Touhu (pitch-pot), alongside movable-type printing and shadow puppetry, drew long queues. The engaging activities made ancient culture tactile, playful, and accessible, attracting nearly 10,000 visitors throughout the day.

An opera singer performs on the stage. 

Meanwhile, the stage came alive with a rotation of national treasures, including Sichuan Opera face-changing, Peking Opera, and Huangmei Opera, drawing loud applause from the audience. A Hanfu (traditional Chinese apparel) experience area also became a hotspot for photos.

International volunteers in red vests pose for a photo with visitors.

Throughout the fair, international volunteers moved between booths, providing multilingual translation and cultural interpretation to help global visitors connect with Chinese heritage. Moving beyond traditional volunteer roles, they served as cultural ambassadors.

Visitors are amazed by Sichuan Opera face-changing. 

The event was held in tandem with the Zhaoshang Subdistrict Public Service Bazaar. Various municipal and district departments participated, including the Shenzhen Municipal Local Financial Regulatory Bureau, the Nanshan Branch of the Shenzhen Social Security Bureau, the Nanshan Bureau of the Shenzhen Market Regulatory Bureau, the Nanshan District Water Affairs Bureau, and the Qianhai Shekou Free Trade Zone Hospital.

Volunteers and NSIC staffers pose for a group photo. 

Volunteers and staff acted as "warm-hearted stallholders," offering policy consultations, free medical checkups, and other essential services. This setup allowed residents, corporate employees, and newly employed groups to access convenient, one-stop assistance right at their doorstep.

The heritage fair represents a successful initiative by the Zhaoshang Subdistrict Office to promote fine traditional Chinese culture. Moving forward, the Zhaoshang Subdistrict Office will continue to utilize the NSIC as a window to enhance the "Asia-Pacific Circle of Friends" brand, helping more high-quality Chinese cultural projects expand beyond the community and onto the global stage.