The 2025 Yangtze River Civilization Forum opened in Chongqing, with the Exhibition of Intangible Cultural Heritage Masterpieces from the Yangtze River Basin held concurrently. The exhibition selected over 100 representative intangible cultural heritage items and more than 800 masterpieces from 13 provinces (regions and cities) along the Yangtze River basin. It also invited 40 representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to demonstrate and perform live, interacting with the audience up close. The photo shows guests viewing exhibits in the Chongqing exhibition area.

The 2025 Yangtze River Civilization Forum opened in Chongqing, with the Exhibition of Intangible Cultural Heritage Masterpieces from the Yangtze River Basin held concurrently. The exhibition selected over 100 representative intangible cultural heritage items and more than 800 masterpieces from 13 provinces (regions and cities) along the Yangtze River basin. It also invited 40 representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to demonstrate and perform live, interacting with the audience up close. The photo shows Rongchang folding fans displayed at the exhibition.

The 2025 Yangtze River Civilization Forum opened in Chongqing, with the Exhibition of Intangible Cultural Heritage Masterpieces from the Yangtze River Basin held concurrently. The exhibition selected over 100 representative intangible cultural heritage items and more than 800 masterpieces from 13 provinces (regions and cities) along the Yangtze River basin. It also invited 40 representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to demonstrate and perform live, interacting with the audience up close. The photo shows batik works from the Guizhou exhibition area attracting visitors.

The 2025 Yangtze River Civilization Forum opened in Chongqing, with the Exhibition of Intangible Cultural Heritage Masterpieces from the Yangtze River Basin held concurrently. The exhibition selected over 100 representative intangible cultural heritage items and more than 800 masterpieces from 13 provinces (regions and cities) along the Yangtze River basin. It also invited 40 representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to demonstrate and perform live, interacting with the audience up close. The photo shows thangka works from the Tibet exhibition area attracting visitors.

The 2025 Yangtze River Civilization Forum opened in Chongqing, with the Exhibition of Intangible Cultural Heritage Masterpieces from the Yangtze River Basin held concurrently. The exhibition selected over 100 representative intangible cultural heritage items and more than 800 masterpieces from 13 provinces (regions and cities) along the Yangtze River basin. It also invited 40 representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to demonstrate and perform live, interacting with the audience up close. The photo shows the Xilankapu weaving technique from the Chongqing exhibition area attracting visitors.

The 2025 Yangtze River Civilization Forum opened in Chongqing, with the Exhibition of Intangible Cultural Heritage Masterpieces from the Yangtze River Basin held concurrently. The exhibition selected over 100 representative intangible cultural heritage items and more than 800 masterpieces from 13 provinces (regions and cities) along the Yangtze River basin. It also invited 40 representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to demonstrate and perform live, interacting with the audience up close. The photo shows Huangmei cross-stitch embroidery displayed at the exhibition.

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Yangtze River Basin

The Yangtze River Basin is the cradle of Chinese civilization, having nurtured human settlement and agriculture for millennia. It has been a vital economic and cultural artery throughout China’s history, connecting the interior to the coast. Today, it remains the country’s most important inland waterway and is home to major modern projects like the Three Gorges Dam.

Chongqing exhibition area

The Chongqing Exhibition Area is a modern cultural and commercial hub that showcases the city’s rapid development and role as a major economic center in western China. While it does not have a long historical background itself, it frequently hosts events and displays that highlight Chongqing’s history as a wartime capital during World War II and its significance as a strategic port city. The area serves as a dynamic platform for promoting regional innovation, industry, and cultural exchange.

Rongchang folding fans

Rongchang folding fans are a traditional Chinese handicraft originating from Rongchang District, Chongqing, with a history spanning over 450 years since the Ming Dynasty. Known for their exquisite craftsmanship, these fans are typically made from local bamboo and paper, and often feature delicate paintings or calligraphy. They are celebrated as both practical art objects and significant cultural symbols of the region.

Guizhou exhibition area

The Guizhou Exhibition Area is a dedicated space, often within larger cultural or trade fairs, that showcases the unique heritage and development of Guizhou province in southwestern China. It typically highlights the region’s rich ethnic diversity, featuring the cultures of the Miao and Dong peoples, its dramatic karst landscapes, and traditional crafts like batik and silverwork. Historically, the area serves to promote Guizhou’s economic and cultural exchange, reflecting its evolution from a remote mountainous region to a hub for tourism and green technology.

Batik works

Batik refers to the traditional Indonesian art of wax-resist dyeing on textiles, which dates back over a thousand years and is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This intricate craft involves applying patterns with hot wax before dyeing the cloth, creating vibrant and symbolic designs often inspired by nature and local folklore. It remains a significant cultural expression and a thriving artisan industry in Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Tibet exhibition area

The Tibet exhibition area showcases the region’s rich cultural heritage, often featuring traditional Tibetan art, religious artifacts, and historical items. It typically highlights the area’s deep connection to Tibetan Buddhism and its history as a unique civilization on the Himalayan plateau. These exhibitions aim to promote understanding of Tibetan traditions and its development within China.

Thangka works

Thangka works are traditional Tibetan Buddhist paintings on cotton or silk appliqué, which originated in Nepal around the 11th century and became central to religious practice and cultural storytelling. They typically depict deities, mandalas, or spiritual scenes and are used as meditation aids and teaching tools. Historically, they were created by trained artists following strict iconometric rules to preserve their sacred significance.

Xilankapu weaving technique

Xilankapu is a traditional brocade weaving technique practiced by the Tujia ethnic group in China, primarily in the Hunan province. This intricate art form, which dates back over 1,500 years, is renowned for its vibrant geometric patterns and is traditionally used to create items like bed covers and clothing. In 2006, it was inscribed on China’s national list of intangible cultural heritage to help preserve its unique craftsmanship and cultural significance.