Beyond what you see

Beijing caici, or colored Beijing ceramics, carries on the Qing Dynasty's imperial ceramic tradition with delicate patterns. [Photo/China Daily]

The list includes people as well: The city has registered 57 people as nation-level intangible cultural heritage inheritors, and 206 people are on the city-level list. The city's overall protective project on intangible cultural heritage covers 14 different departments under the municipal government, including the city's education bureau, culture bureau, and development and reform commission. The municipal protection center for the heritage was established in 2009, and each of Beijing's districts and counties has built lower-levels of the institution.

China's national law on intangible cultural heritage came into effect in 2011.

How to maintain sustainable development is a common issue for intangible cultural heritage protectors all over the country. Beijing's municipal government vows to keep promoting the combination of tourism with the intangible cultural heritage to encourage more involvement of companies - and to exploit the commercial potential of these traditions by designing tourism souvenirs with strong local characteristics. Other channels include the enhancement of training programs, establishment of a public fund for protection and stronger publicity in local communities.