Embroidery and clay figurines representing the cream of the crop of Chinese folk handicrafts will take the stage at the upcoming World Expo in Shanghai. The artworks will showcase the quintessence of Chinese folk heritages.

A silk scroll of the historic painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" has been created in Wujiang of Jiangsu Province. The mammoth painting is more than 40 meters long and one meter wide. The piece is five times larger than the previous one that held the Guinness Book of World Records.

The panoramic work was painted by the Song Dynasty artist Zhang Zeduan. It captures the daily life of people from the Song period at the capital, Bianjing, or modern day Kaifeng in Henan Province. The theme celebrates the festive spirit and worldly commotion of the Qingming Festival. Its a departure from the holiday's ceremonial aspects, such as tomb sweeping and prayers. The entire piece was painted in hand scroll format with the content revealing the lifestyle of all levels of the society. The rich and poor as well as different economic activities in rural areas and the city, dot the scrolls.

The Huishan clay figurine is the staple handicraft of the Wuxi in Jiangsu Province. It's known for vivid depictions and vibrant use of color. Local folk artists have recently created a set of two figurines to be exhibited in Shanghai during the Expo. Entitled "Gold Boy and Jade Girl", the work employed the craft's trademark image of plump cherub.

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