On Thursday, the First Luohu National Specialty Expo kicked off at Jinguanghua Plaza in Shenzhen's Luohu District. The expo runs until Jan. 23 and offers an immersive "one-stop" cultural and tourism experience.

It features 11 regional specialty pavilions, 15 festive food booths, and a Spring Festival-themed intangible cultural heritage market. Representatives from regional offices in Shenzhen, including those from Tibet, Shandong, and Hunan, warmly showcased their booths' unique specialties and cultural highlights.

Each of the 11 specialty pavilions, meticulously curated by provincial and regional offices from Xinjiang, Xizang, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jilin, and more, spans nearly 50 square meters. These booths beautifully recreate local customs and cultural elements.

The food section showcases 15 renowned brands, presenting a variety of authentic festive delicacies, while the heritage market features five days of interactive activities and performances, including folk shows performances, Lingnan art performances, hands-on workshops, and traditional food fairs.

Highlights at the event include the majestic Yingge Dance and Jiangxi's provincial intangible cultural heritage performance, the Dingnan Lion Dance. Visitors were thrilled to experience regional specialties such as Xizang's juicy kiwi fruit and yak meat, Anhui's pears and sesame oil, Chaozhou's tea and red peach pastries, and Shandong's sea cucumbers and handmade coarse grain pancakes.

Zou Jian, Executive President of the Shandong Yantai Chamber of Commerce in Guangdong Province, shared: "At this expo, our Shandong Pavilion brings together high-quality products from local private enterprises, including peanut oil series and our iconic steamed bun Huabobo, a Shandong intangible cultural heritage item with a history of over 300 years. These carefully selected offerings showcase excellent goods and the hospitality of Shandong people.

Beyond the regional pavilions, the food exhibition and heritage market offered an equally vibrant atmosphere. According to a representative from the Luohu District Bureau of Commerce, the expo has drawn diverse culinary and cultural creations from across the country. Attendees can sample herbal milk tea, Hong Kong-style pastries, and pick up Shenzhen souvenirs, local Luohu specialties, and global gourmet treats, making it a one-stop shop for all New Year needs.

A Luohu Consumption Map was also unveiled, providing an overview of special promotions and activities in major commercial areas.

At the heritage market, visitors participated in hands-on workshops like paper-cutting and kite-making, discovering the charm of intangible cultural heritage. A variety of heritage foods were also available, showcasing traditional tastes. Evening performances included concerts, Cantonese opera, and Cantonese golden oldies concerts, offering attendees both visual and auditory delights.

Additionally, an exhibit featuring exquisite intangible cultural heritage works opened at Jinguanghua Plaza, displaying Luohu's iconic jewelry filigree inlay craftsmanship, straw paintings, Tianjin's Zhang clay figurines, inner painting, and cloisonné enamel art. These exhibits allowed visitors to appreciate the intricacies of traditional craftsmanship up close.

A representative from Nanhu Subdistrict noted that Jinguanghua Plaza, a popular commercial hub in Luohu, has garnered significant public attention and praise for the event. From 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on January 15, over 8,000 visitors attended, with evening performances like the Dong ethnic Lusheng Dance and "Tang Palace Night Banquet" receiving enthusiastic feedback.

The expo has provided a platform for showcasing and interaction but also fostered collaboration among local enterprises, regional offices in Shenzhen, and businesses in the district. By integrating intangible cultural heritage into the festivities, the event promotes the broader dissemination of China's rich traditional culture. For those spending the Lunar New Year in Shenzhen, the expo offers a taste of home, an exploration of diverse regional cultures, and a warm, festive atmosphere.

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