September 2023

Douling Village, located in Hedong District, Linyi City, is currently experiencing a lotus root harvest season. In recent years, Hedong District has been exploring the core value of its local characteristics and cultivating lotus flowers in a multi-dimensional manner. Established cooperatives include lotus root production, related tourism, and construction of lotus industrial chain, all bringing a revitalization of this rural area. Douling Village has the advantage of enjoying a unique clay soil which is rich in humus, providing the necessary conditions for lotus growth. This advantage helps cultivate lotus which is more than 30 years now. Over 10,000 mu of…

An ordinary plain eggshell, after a series of steps such as tracing, painting, and coloring, can make a big difference. Traditional opera figures like the red-faced Guan Yu （Avalokiteśvara）, the black-faced Bao Zheng, and the green-faced Cheng Yaojin… each one appears to come to life, given new vitality by the eggshell. Ms Zhao Limei is the master behind the creation of these eggshell facial masks. Born in Fei County, Shandong’s Linyi City, she is now a representative inheritor of the city’s intangible cultural heritage. The eggshell opera facial masks of Fei County, with a history over 200 years, embody the cultural characteristics…