FIVE thousand years' Chinese civilization has left us rich cultural heritages, not only those tangible relics such as ancient artworks and books, but also intangible ones.

The appellation of intangible cultural heritage is formally defined in the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritages by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), including traditional cultures passed down through generations, such as sacrificial rites, folk festivals, myths, language, music, dance, opera, games and handicrafts.

In Jiading there are a lot of preserved intangible cultural heritages, including dances, music and physical exercises, which can still be appreciated today.

Ancient Buddhist exercises still practiced today

Yan Weibing and Pan Zheng

Damo Yijinjing is a set of exercises which is said to have been created by Bodhidharma to strengthen the body, with a history of more than 1,500 years. Since Shanghai opened as a commercial port, Damo Yijinjing has combined two traditional Chinese cultures - martial arts and traditional Chinese medicine.

Damo Yijinjing includes 12 sections. According to its practitioners it can help control breathing, improve metabolism and the immune system, promote blood circulation and eliminate turbid matter from the body.

In the past few decades, descendants of Damo Yijinjing in Jiading have been making efforts to promote the exercises domestically and abroad. In 2009, a printed guide to Damo Yijinjing was published by Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House.

Serving tea at ceremonies with a graceful dance

Gong Hao and Pan Zheng

The tea master dance is a Jiading folk dance, mostly seen in Zhuqiao and Loutang, north of the Jiading Industrial Zone. It is usually performed during ceremonies such as weddings. In 2007, it was listed as one of Jiading's intangible cultural heritages.

The tea master refers to the man who is in charge of services such as tea and dim-sum at the wedding. In Jiading folk weddings, the groom's family often welcomes the bride with a colorful boat. When the boat reaches the river bank, a gangplank will be laid between the boat and bank, the tea master will step on the gangplank and dance while holding a tea tray to serve the guests, and guide the groom or bride to disembark. The earliest tea master dances only used one hand to hold the tray, but in 1938 two tea masters created a new style which uses both hands to hold the trays. Over time, the content and styles of the tea master dance have been perfected and the performance occasions have expanded.

In these ceremonial occasions, the dancer holds the tea tray with both hands, and on each tray are placed three bowls or cups containing hot tea. The whole dance is performed in a half-squatting position with several revolving movements. At the end, the dancer holds the tray in front of their chest to show respect to the guests. During the dance the tea should not be spilled.

Dragon dancing to bring good fortune

Ju Wen and Pan Zheng

Dragon is a symbol of Chinese, and the dragon dance is a typical form of Chinese folk entertainment. It's performed by a group of dancers with a huge Chinese dragon made of cloth and bamboo.

Jiading's "Green Dragon Dance Festival" is listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. It originated at the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and has a history of more than 100 years. According to Xiao Jinhua, a former dragon dance leader, every year during the Lantern Festival, (15th day of the first month in the Chinese lunar calendar), local people would hold a grand dragon dance festival to pray for good fortune in the new year.

The green dragon used in the dance is about 10 meters long. Its bones are made of bamboo and the skin is cloth. The dragon is composed of nine sections - one head, one tail and the other seven form the body. Under each section is a handle used to control the dragon's movements.

Usually a dance team includes nine dancers and six drummers. They dance around squares and gardens, and even into some residences. Usually the festival lasts for about one week. It displays not only typical folk life, but also the excellent handicrafts of local residents.

Musical ensemble combining many traditional instruments

Li Jingwen and Pan Zheng

Among all the intangible cultural heritages of Jiading District, Jiangnan sizhu (string instruments and bamboo flute) music is the one which combines the most elements - it is the music played by instruments such as erhu (Chinese two-string fiddle), yangqin (dulcimer) and pipa (four-stringed Chinese musical instrument).

With more than 300 years of history, Jiangnan sizhu music is popular in almost every village and town in Jiading, which boasts currently 16 folk sizhu orchestras.

In 2010, Shanghai Jiangnan Sizhu Association organized a joint performance, the folk music ensemble of "Jiangfeng" and "Zhonghua Liuban" performed by artists from Jiading Town Cultural Activity Center were highly appreciated by experts and audience alike. Other cultural events with Jiading characteristics

Staff Reporters

Honored as a "historical and cultural city of Jiangnan (south region in the lower reaches of Yangtze River)," Jiading has rich cultural relics from throughout its history. In recent years, a lot of cultural events with Jiading characteristics have been listed as intangible cultural heritages, among which three are of national level, seven are of city level and 10 of district level. Through all these cultural heritages, we can get a taste of the Jiangnan region as well as the cultural details of the district.

Bamboo carving

As one of the first intangible cultural heritages at national level in Jiading, bamboo carving has a history of more than 400 years with a rich culture and high art value. Jiading artists give bamboo new life with a knife and meld various cultural elements including painting, calligraphy, poetry and seals in their works. Jiading bamboo carving boosts its prominent regionality and originality with more than 10 different carving skills.

Shanghai Taoism music

Listed as a national intangible cultural heritage, Shanghai Taoism music is considered a precious folk music culture. It plays an important role in helping to learn local village culture and customs, as well as in studying the development of local society.

Xuhang straw weaving

With about 1,000 years of history, Xuhang straw weaving is considered a precious and innovative regional historical cultural form. As a result of the local quality of work, Xuhang is honored as the "hometown of straw weaving."

Originally, ancestors of Xuhang started to weave daily utensils with yellow straw and decorate them with colorful patterns. Later the straw weaving became famous for its delicate craftsmanship.

Nanxiang xiaolong

Nanxiang xiaolong (little steamed buns) is famous for its thin skin and unique filling. In the 1940s and 1950s, Nanxiang xiaolong entered the international market, with stores opened in Japan and Singapore. It is one of the first Shanghai's intangible cultural heritages.

Tulip alcohol

Tulip alcohol is a Jiading specialty with a history of over 300 years. It tastes mellow with a unique aroma and can help promote blood circulation. In 1937, it won the golden prize at the international fair in Leipzig, Germany.

Anting medicine cloth

Created by a local surnamed Gui more than 300 years ago, the Anting medicine cloth has become the most famous textile product of Anting. It is made with certain medical additives and can be resistant against mildew and color fading or being eaten by moths. This kind of cloth is widely used by the local people for clothes.

Stone barbell and stone dumbbell

Originated in Yao Village in Nanxiang Town, stone barbell and stone dumbbell is a traditional sports event, with practitioners spread all across Nanxiang. It is often displayed during various events in the town, showing the unique attraction of rural sports.

Lotus lantern dance

Lotus lantern dance is a religious dance often appearing in local Taoist rites. It was created more than 300 years ago and can now be seen mostly in Jiading and Qingpu districts as an act of worship.