The 8th China Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Expo is currently taking place at the Shungeng International Convention and Exhibition Center in Jinan, capital of East China's Shandong province.

Running from Oct 17 to 21, this year's expo will showcase 497 ICH projects, including 175 national representative ones, with a total of over 700 participants. The exhibition hall will feature specially designed installations in a trendy, modern Chinese style, blending dynamic and static elements for an immersive and interactive experience.

The main venue of this year's expo showcases three key exhibition areas: a themed exhibition celebrating 20 years of protecting ICH in China, a dedicated Shandong exhibition area, and a collection highlighting folk customs with the theme "Harmony and Coexistence." Sub-venues will be set up throughout the city, creating a "mobile expo" for citizens and tourists alike.

A visitor learns Tai Chi through interactive motion-sensing equipment. [Photo/VCG]

Trading will be a key focus at the expo for the first time, with a dedicated team inviting 97 professional buyers to facilitate connections and hold special negotiation sessions.

Interactive projects will account for 70 percent of the exhibition. For instance, people wearing hanfu (a kind of traditional Chinese attire) at the expo will receive discounts, and visitors are encouraged to collect stamps at each exhibition area.

Visitors explore the exhibits in the Shandong exhibition area. [Photo/VCG]

To engage young audiences, the expo will invite young inheritors of ICH and showcase innovative design products. A special creative section will highlight the contributions of university students, while social media influencers will help promote the expo and attract online attention from younger demographics.

The 8th China Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo emphasizes the significance of preserving cultural traditions while embracing innovation. By connecting the past to the present, it inspires future generations to engage with and carry forward these vital pieces of heritage.