The 2024 Shandong Rural Culture and Tourism Festival kicked off at Huanghe Tower Square in Gaoqing county, Zibo, marking the beginning of a cultural extravaganza. 

Local residents, dressed in traditional attire, engaged in folk art performances such as dragon and lion dances, folk dance, with a mesmerizing thousand-member yangge dance troupe.

The festival kicks off on Jan 18 in 16 cities in Shandong province. [Photo/IC]

The main attraction was the diverse New Year's market, featuring cultural and creative products, intangible cultural heritage, and a plethora of local delicacies. Gaoqing's renowned specialties like black cattle beef and colored whole-grain rice drew crowds eager to taste and purchase.

In Shanxian county, Heze, the festival seamlessly blended tradition with modern trends, showcasing local traditions such as the folk dance and intangible cultural heritage exhibitions. The market offered an array of local delights, including mutton soup, flower cakes, and distinctive tiger-head shoes.

Across different venues, artists demonstrated their skills, with calligraphers crafting spring couplets on-site. The festival also introduced innovative cultural products like bell-like chimes made from Weiwan town's unique material.

Dongying and Daiyue district of Tai'an also joined the festivities, hosting their Spring Festival cultural tourism events. Visitors indulged in intangible heritage performances, sampled local delicacies, and immersed themselves in the vibrant festive atmosphere.

The Shandong Rural Culture and Tourism Festival promises a unique blend of tradition and modernity, capturing the essence of the region's rich cultural heritage.