University students from Southeast Asia and China learned about Nantong's intangible cultural heritage and tried their hand at traditional blue calico dyeing at a cultural exchange event in Chongchuan district, Nantong.

The event featured displays of local intangible cultural heritage, including blue calico, Shen embroidery, and woodblock New Year paintings. Students viewed the exhibits and learned about the history and production processes behind these crafts.

At the Shen embroidery display, attendees discovered that artisans possess the skill to divide a single silk thread into multiple strands, demonstrating fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. In the woodblock New Year painting area, they examined the carved patterns and traditional color-printing techniques, taking photos and sharing their impressions.

Students practice traditional blue calico dyeing as an instructor displays a finished piece. [Photo provided to nantong.gov.cn]

A hands-on blue calico dyeing session followed. Under the guidance of a recognized inheritor of the craft, the students worked together to fold, tie, and dye fabric, while sharing cultural traditions from their hometowns. Once the bindings were removed, each piece revealed a unique blue-and-white pattern.