Gangzha district, Nantong, Jiangsu province hosted an event on intangible cultural heritage items on Jan 20, giving people a chance to experience traditional culture as the Spring Festival approaches.

Participants gathered at an activity hall, which was decorated with rat toys and red lanterns, to learn how to make paper-cuttings and sugar paintings and write Chinese characters on bird-and-flower paintings.

A paper-cutting expert showcases one of her works to children during an event on intangible cultural heritage held in Gangzha district on Jan 20. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

"Paper-cutting requires a strong attention to detail, especially when cutting the edges," said Feng Jianshen, a skilled paper-cutter.

Feng said that Nantong's paper-cuttings have delicate compositions and distinctive local features. He also expressed hope that such works would encourage more people to help spread traditional culture and art.

People also painted pictures of Chinese characters against backdrops of mountains, rivers, flowers, birds, and other natural elements. "It looks like a painting at first glance, but from a distance you can see that the words are made up of various images," said a resident surnamed Shao.