On July 7, the interview crew of the campaign“A look into innovativetransformation and development of Chinese culture in Shandong” visited the Shigu Village Scenic Area in Shizhong District of Jinan to discover the legend of converting lucid water and lush mountains into invaluable assets. Over 20 years, the hardworking and intelligent Shigu people have transformed the barren mountain into fertile soil, surrounded by chirping birds, aromatic flowers, bleating deer, clear springs and spectacular falls. The forest park with a green space ratio of above 90% decorates Jinan like a dark green landscape painting.

Shigu Village Scenic Area

In recent years, Shigugou Village has built up“Hand Made in Shigu” as a brand, revitalized intangible cultural heritage, organized a training class and opened a market. Inheritors of intangible cultural heritage have been invited to conduct workshopsin the village. At the same time, local villagers attend the“Shigu Hand Made Class” to learn about intangible cultural heritage and acquire the relevant techniques. After mastering the techniques and passing the appraisal, the villagers are qualified as inheritors to make products by hand by combining the techniques with local characteristics and elements. They exhibit and sell their handmade products in the“Shigu Hand Made Market”. The integration of excellent traditional culture withthe development of the rural tourism economy allows intangible cultural heritage to unleash vigor and vitality in the beautiful village, a real-life example of“creative transformation and innovative development”.

Dough sculptures made by craftsmen

The villagers are learning how to make scented sachets

An inheritor is teaching villagers the technique of grass and willow weaving, a national intangible cultural heritage

A villager shows his rattan-weaving work on his first day at the class

The villagers are showing the tie-dyes they have just finished

A“Bing Dwen Dwen”tie-dye at the Shigu Hand Made Market

The inheritors and villagers are showing their works at the Shigu Hand Made Market