The coastal city of Yantai in East China's Shandong province launched a variety of themed activities to celebrate the International Museum Day, which fell on May 18.

Museums are important places that protect and pass on the history of human civilizations, and  are also bridges that link the past, the present and the future. International Museum Day was launched in 1977 by the International Council of Museums. This year's theme was "the power of museums".

Yantai currently has 42 museums at various levels, including 24 State-owned museums, and they are now critical platforms for promoting distinct cultures and enhancing cultural confidence in Yantai.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Yantai museums have put on over 30 high-quality exhibitions and colorful social education events, all of which have enriched people's daily lives. 

This month, more than 60 themed activities have been or will be carried out via online and offline platforms to promote the integrated development of culture and tourism in Yantai, including Red culture, marine culture, and Jiaodong folk culture.

Yantai has a long, rich history and culture, and boasts a wide range of national and provincial intangible cultural heritage items such as Yantai dough modeling, paper-cutting and woolen embroidery. [Photo by Tang Ke/Iqilu News]