China's Cultural and Natural Heritage Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of June every year.

Between June 6 and June 8 this year, the 2024 Xiangxi Prefecture Cultural and Natural Heritage Day Celebrations, and also the 2nd Wuling Mountainous Area (Xiangxi) Tujia and Miao Culture Ecology Protection Festival, will be held in Furong Town—"an ancient town hanging on the waterfall." A series of intangible cultural heritage activities are scheduled to provide visitors with unforgettable experiences. 

Displays and shows will be staged amid landscapes and attractions in the town, showcasing Xiangxi's craftsmanship, cuisine, folk performance, rituals, and other intangible cultural heritages. The Furong Town Scenic Area will become an "intangible cultural heritage exhibition hall without ceilings".

Furong Town—an ancient town hanging on the waterfall.

Handwaving dance.

The Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience and Exhibition Hall in the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Cultural Ecology Protection Zone will open on June 8. It is situated on Wulishiban Lane in the town, focusing on Xiangxi's intangible cultural heritages, China-chic culture, and youth culture, among others. There will be masters' works on display, livestreaming promotions, and cultural creative products fairs.

Cross-stitch crafts of the Miao people.

Intangible cultural heritage creative products.

On the evening of June 8, a grand gala themed "mystery Xiangxi, colorful intangible cultural heritages" will be held at the Handwaving Hall in the town. On-site performances and livestreaming shows will be staged simultaneously, carrying forward Huxiang culture, showcasing unique features of Xiangxi, and promoting outstanding intangible cultural heritages.

A show of Xiangxi's traditional wedding rituals.

Besides, other intangible cultural heritage events will be organized, such as an experience exchange meeting and an intangible cultural heritage exploration tour in the ancient town. Relevant leaders, experts, scholars, working staff, and inheritors will get together, sharing their experiences and exchanging their views on cultural and natural heritage protection and utilization, and cultural ecology protection zone construction.