Ningbo's intangible cultural heritage shines at Osaka Expo

Visitors admire Ningbo's intangible cultural heritage items. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

During the Ningbo Day event staged at the 2025 Osaka Expo, crowds of international visitors gathered to check out the intangible cultural heritage items of Ningbo.

Without the need of loud music or elaborate theatrics, ancient crafts quietly captivated with their intricate beauty and timeless skill.

The highlight display featured the "three golds and one inlay", which refer to gold and lacquer wood carving, gold-powder painted lacquer, gold and silver embroidery and bone and wood inlays. These were no museum relics, but vivid expressions of living tradition.

One standout work, A Scroll of Ningbo Festivities, embroidered with colorful threads, brought Lantern Festival to life — with dragon dances, lantern puzzles and expressive faces — all stitched with astonishing precision.

Beyond the aesthetics, visitors felt a shared human connection. Designers, diplomats and everyday onlookers agreed: Craftsmanship this refined speaks a universal language of beauty and reverence.

What elevated Ningbo's presentation even further was its creative fusion of tradition with technology. A 14-meter-long animated scroll reimagined classical Chinese art with immersive visuals, while a detailed model of an ancient ship demonstrated maritime innovation. Even heritage snacks like tangyuan or glutinous rice balls and waxberry pastries delighted the taste buds of visitors, showcasing cultural depth in an edible form.

From embroidery to digital storytelling, Ningbo showed the world how ancient artistry can captivate contemporary audiences — proving that with thoughtful innovation, tradition never fades.

A close-up view of bone and wood inlay works. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

Ningbo mud gold colored paint lacquer works charm visitors at the expo. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]