The Ministry of Culture released the list of "Hometowns of Chinese Folk Culture and Art" from 2014 to 2016 recently. A total of 442 counties and cities across China's 31 provinces, cities and autonomous regions as well as Xinjiang Production and Construction Crops, covering fields like performance, handicrafts and folk customs, made the list, which showcases the prosperous development of Chinese folk cultures and arts.

Taiyuan gong and drum performance in Taiyuan's Xiyan township

Shanxi won itself 12 places on the list for its characteristic folk arts and cultures, including the Taiyuan gong and drum performance in Jianchaoping district's Xiyan township in Taiyuan, Lihou handmade tigers in Changzhi's Licheng county and dough modeling in Xizhou's Dingxiang county.

Lihou handmade tigers in Changzhi's Licheng county

The "Hometowns of Chinese Folk Culture and Art" list was initiated by the Ministry of Culture from 1987 with an aim to strengthen characteristic culture construction at the basic level and enrich the public's cultural life. The list is selected every three years with the organization of the Ministry of Culture from 2008 and is a cultural brand for the integrated construction of economy, politics, culture and society.

Lu'an dagu in Changzhi county

Edited by Michael Thai