Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province – Last week witnessed China Daily’s foreign specialist Samar Kerkeni embarking on an immersive two-day cultural odyssey through the historic city of Yangzhou. The journey offered a profound exploration of traditional Chinese heritage against the backdrop of seasonal transformation.
The inaugural day coincided with Lantern Festival celebrations at Songjiacheng Sports and Leisure Park, where Kerkeni engaged directly with multiple intangible cultural heritage practices. She participated in hands-on workshops demonstrating Yangzhou’s renowned lantern craftsmanship, an artistic tradition dating back centuries that combines intricate paper-cutting techniques with sophisticated lighting designs. The experience provided unique insights into how traditional festivals serve as living repositories of cultural knowledge.
On the subsequent day, the exploration continued through Slender West Lake’s classical gardens, where early spring blossoms created a breathtaking natural panorama. Kerkeni documented the harmonious integration of horticultural artistry with landscape architecture, characteristic of Yangzhou’s UNESCO-recognized garden design philosophy. The sensory experience highlighted how Chinese cities maintain ecological consciousness alongside urban development.
This ethnographic account reveals Yangzhou’s dual identity as both cultural conservator and natural sanctuary, demonstrating how regional Chinese cities preserve ancient traditions while remaining dynamically engaged with contemporary society. The documentation provides international audiences with accessible pathways to understanding China’s diverse regional cultural landscapes beyond metropolitan centers.