Qingdao launches its 2026 intangible cultural heritage month, blending tradition with festive New Year celebrations. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Qingdao, rich in history and culture, is home to 1,092 intangible cultural heritage (ICH) items and 775 recognized inheritors. From Jiaozhou Yangko dance to Laoshan green tea, these traditions are the living essence of the city.

On Feb 9, Qingdao launched its 2026 ICH month with performances of traditional drumming, suona music, and martial arts, captivating the audience.

A key highlight was the opening of the Mingxia Wonderland immersive ICH town. Inspired by ancient Qingdao landscapes, it transforms 50 local ICH skills — from dyeing and incense-making to pottery — into an interactive role-playing experience. Visitors become "travelers in a martial arts world", learning crafts from inheritors while completing themed quests across three zones.

Qingdao, rich in history and culture, is home to 1,092 intangible cultural heritage items and 775 recognized inheritors. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Throughout the Chinese New Year period until early March, Qingdao will host 165 online and offline events across seven sections, including festive markets, live-streamed celebrations, lantern exhibitions, and traditional food fairs. These activities aim to integrate heritage into the Spring Festival, allowing residents and visitors to engage with heritage in dynamic, contemporary settings.

Qingdao is expected to present over 160 heritage events, from lantern displays to folk performances, for a culturally rich Spring Festival. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

By blending ancient customs with immersive storytelling, Qingdao is not only preserving its cultural legacy but also reinventing how it is experienced and celebrated.