An exhibitor presents a giant mackerel dumpling at Yantai's ocean fair. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Showcasing the seamless blend of the Yellow River, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, and ocean cultures, East China's Shandong province launched three distinctive cultural fairs on Feb 4, running through March 20.

The fairs – the Yellow River fair, the Grand Canal fair, and the ocean fair – have ignited the festive atmosphere and seasonal shopping carnival for the Spring Festival.

Each fair offers unique local flavors. In Heze, the Yellow River fair features Shandong clapper ballads, southwest Shandong's percussion and wind music, and the intangible cultural heritage of dahongquan martial arts, promoting both cultural preservation and rural vitalization.

Dezhou's Grand Canal fair features dance performances, ICH acrobatics, and folk songs, which show the Grand Canal's enduring legacy and deepening efforts to protect and pass on cultural heritage.

Meanwhile, Yantai celebrated with the ocean fair that blends Jiaodong folk traditions with maritime elements. Notably, Huang Qihui, a descendant of the renowned royal physician Huang Yuanyu (1705–1758), collaborated with internet influencers to promote local products, underscoring the fair's distinctive appeal.

Beyond cultural displays, the fairs act as dynamic hubs featuring ICH exhibits, local cuisine, and trade-in services. They connect urban and rural areas by linking producers with broader markets, stimulating local commerce, and providing diverse leisure options. These gatherings not only boost rural vitalization but also foster a shared sense of prosperity, making them a celebrated highlight in the cultural and economic life of Shandong.

Visitors wander through a dried fruit area. [Photo/Dazhong News]