Jinhua Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum reopens to spotlight local treasures

The Pujiang bench dragon is displayed in the Jinhua Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum in Wucheng district, Jinhua, Zhejiang province. [Photo/jinhua.com.cn]

After renovation upgrades, the Jinhua Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, located in Wucheng district, Jinhua, Zhejiang province, has reopened, showcasing the rich history and unique charm of local traditions.

The revamped museum now features over 200 exhibits spanning 51 intangible cultural heritage projects, contributed by 56 inheritors or preservation institutions.

Flanking both sides of the entrance are 13 key displays featuring renowned heritages, including Dongyang woodcarving, Wuzhou kiln ceramics firing techniques, and tin-carving, all recognized at the provincial level or above.

The exhibition also celebrates four iconic delicacies rooted in the city: Jinhua crispy cake, Jinhua ham, Jinhua wine, and Yiwu brown sugar.

Further inside are four themed halls dedicated to legacies across counties and districts in Jinhua. Among the most prominent is the Xuzhai lantern from Xuzhai village in Dongyang county-level city, depicting folklore and farming scenes through hundreds of dynamic lanterns.

Another highlight is the bench dragon dance from Pujiang county, which was included on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024 as a representative Spring Festival tradition.

The Pujiang bench dragon is a multifaceted art form that blends calligraphy, painting, paper-cutting, bamboo weaving, and root carving with elements of sport, acrobatics, and dance.

Jinhua currently hosts two heritages on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, alongside 36 national-level and 131 provincial-level intangible cultural heritage items, all leading the province.

According to an official at the Jinhua Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center, most of the exhibits have never been displayed before, welcoming residents and tourists to come to appreciate the charm of Jinhua's heritage.