Exploring Intangible Cultural Heritage Along Taihang No. 1 Tourist Highway

In Pingyao County, Jinzhong, the lacquerware polishing and decoration technique—recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006—is a dazzling testament to exquisite craftsmanship. Creating each piece involves dozens of rigorous steps, with the lacquer base often adorned in jet black, rosy red, apricot yellow, and violet green, complemented by intricate ethnic patterns. The result is a harmonious fusion of folk and imperial artistry, where every glossy surface reflects a legacy of beauty and precision. Gazing into its mirror-like finish, one glimpses the splendor of history itself.

长治·黎侯虎：萌态可掬的吉祥守护神

Changzhi · Lihou Tiger: An Adorable Guardian of Good Fortune  

长治的黎侯虎是一种造型独特、色彩鲜艳的小布虎，被列入第二批国家级非物质文化遗产名录。它以黄布为身，黑布为眼，红布当舌，萌态可掬，人见人爱。在当地，黎侯虎是孩子们的守护神，寓意着健康、平安与吉祥。这只小小的布老虎不仅是一件手工艺品，更是人们美好祝愿的象征。将它捧在手心，仿佛能触摸到长辈对下一代浓浓的关爱与祝福。

Changzhi’s Lihou Tiger, a charming cloth tiger, is listed as a national intangible cultural heritage and beloved for its vibrant colors—yellow fabric for the body, black for the eyes, and red for the tongue. More than just a handicraft, this playful yet sacred figure serves as a guardian deity for children, symbolizing “health, safety, and prosperity”. Holding one in your hands, you can almost sense the warmth of blessings passed down through generations, a heartfelt wish for happiness and protection.

晋城·剪纸：方寸之间的民俗画卷

Jincheng · Paper-Cutting: Folk Art in Delicate Detail  

晋城剪纸风格质朴，内涵丰富，尤以磁性剪纸闻名全国。剪纸题材多样，既有春节窗花、婚庆喜花等民间习俗，也有花鸟鱼虫、山水风景等自然万物，还有讲述历史故事和神话传说的人物形象。每逢重要节日，山西的家家户户都会贴上精美的剪纸，为生活增添喜庆氛围。这些剪纸不仅是装饰，更是人们对美好生活的祈愿。透过薄薄的纸片，仿佛能看到一幅幅生动的民俗画卷在眼前展开。

Jincheng’s paper-cutting, particularly its magnetic paper-cut style, is celebrated nationwide for its rustic charm and rich symbolism. The designs capture festive themes like Spring Festival window decorations and wedding motifs, as well as flora, fauna, landscapes, and mythological tales. During important celebrations, these intricate cuttings adorn homes across Shanxi, adding joy and conveying hopes for a bright future. Each delicate piece unfolds like a folkloric scroll, revealing the soul of local traditions.

结语：慢行太行，聆听非遗的故事