On May 1st, the Guangdong Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum at the Bai'etan Greater Bay Area Art Center officially opened its doors to the public. The museum kicked off its grand opening with an array of activities, leading visitors on a diverse cultural journey.

Before the opening, a long queue had already formed outside the museum. "We're lucky to have reserved the first batch of tickets during the May Day holiday. We couldn't wait to bring our family here to experience the charm of Lingnan's intangible heritage!" said Miss Wang, one of the eager attendees.

Yao ethnic drum performance

At 9 am, the rhythmic beats of Yao ethnic drums filled the air as Yao performers, adorned in splendid attire, sang and danced to welcome guests from all corners. Seventeen distinctive Lingnan cultural heritages such as Yangjiang kites, redwood palace lanterns, Guangzhou olive carvings, and Chaozhou tea ceremony are on display, offering visitors a feast of intangible heritage.

Meanwhile, visitors could also witness the masterful demonstrations of heritage inheritors up close and experience the charm of Guangdong embroidery, Xiguan copper beating craft, and so on, with the guidance of the inheritors. Performances of Cantonese opera, shadow puppetry, and puppet shows were staged on the fourth floor of the museum.

A kid tries Guangdong embroidery.

Visitors experience Guangzhou olive carving.

Jin Zisong, the provincial representative inheritor of Chaozhou wood carving, showed his skills at the exhibition hall.

Performances of traditional Chinese opera

Simultaneously, the festival-themed "Savoring Intangible Heritage" series of activities unfolded within the museum, featuring nearly 30 intangible heritage projects, including Guangzhou porcelain, Guangdong embroidery, and Foshan colored lanterns. Visitors can taste or buy some traditional Cantonese snacks, such as preserved fruits, Dongguan pastries, and Xinhui dried tangerine peel.

Over the next four days, this cultural carnival will continue from 10 am to 5 pm. More treasures of Lingnan intangible cultural heritage, such as Yingge dance, Helou dance, traditional martial arts, and Kirin dance, will grace the museum, showcasing the vibrant new cultural vitality of the province.