The Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism arranged for the cultural and tourism departments of Nanjing, Suzhou, Nantong, Yancheng and Taizhou to carry out cultural tourism promotion activities at the Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul from June 14 to 15.

The event featured various forms of intangible cultural heritage displays, performances and experiential activities.

A Rugao rod puppet show is staged at the Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul, South Korea. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

In addition to playing Jiangsu traditional songs such as Jasmine on stage, the event also brought South Korean people traditional performances featuring intangible cultural heritage items such as Rugao rod puppet show and Kunqu opera.

From June 17 to 18, a delegation consisting of representatives from the cultural and tourism departments of Nanjing, Suzhou, Yancheng, Nantong, Taizhou, Zhenjiang, Suqian, Dongtai, Xinghua and Yixing went to Japan to promote cultural tourism.

In addition to the stage performances at the opening ceremony, various exhibition areas for local cities and intangible cultural heritage items were set up on site.

After watching the Rugao rod puppet show, a member of the Japan Travel Writers Association visited the Nantong exhibition area to get a closer look at the puppets. "This is the first time I’ve seen such a unique puppet show, and I don't think there are many people in Japan who have seen this performance," he said.

Rugao is known as the home of puppets, and the Rugao rod puppet show is an intangible cultural heritage item of Jiangsu province.