Exploring Intangible Cultural Heritage Along Taihang No. 1 Tourist Highway

山西的“太行一号”旅游公路如一条丝带，蜿蜒于巍峨的太行山脉之间，串联起忻州、阳泉、晋中、长治、晋城五市的壮丽风光与人文瑰宝。这条公路不仅是一条风景线，更是一条文化长廊，沿途的非遗项目犹如散落的明珠，等待旅人去发现。今天，就让我们沿着这条公路，探寻四项独具特色的非遗宝藏，感受历史的温度与文化的魅力。

Shanxi’s Taihang No. 1 Tourist Highway winds through the majestic Taihang Mountains, connecting the cities of Xinzhou, Yangquan, Jinzhong, Changzhi, and Jincheng. More than just a scenic route, this highway is a cultural corridor dotted with treasures of intangible cultural heritage, each telling a story of history and tradition. Today, let’s embark on a journey to discover four remarkable intangible cultural heritages along this route and immerse ourselves in their timeless charm.

阳泉·平定砂器：千年窑火中的生活智慧

Yangquan · Pingding Pottery: A Thousand Years of Living Wisdom  

在阳泉平定县，砂器制作技艺已传承千年，被誉为中国陶瓷发展史的“活化石”。平定砂器以其“煮饭不变色、炖肉不变味、煎药不变性”的独特性能，成为百姓日常生活中不可或缺的器皿。制作平定砂器需精选当地优质黏土，经过揉泥、塑形、烧制等多道工序，每一件砂器都凝聚着匠人的心血与智慧。触摸砂器粗糙而温润的表面，仿佛能听到千年窑火的低语，感受到古老技艺的生命力。

In Yangquan’s Pingding County, the art of pottery-making has been passed down for millennia, earning its reputation as a “living fossil” in the history of Chinese ceramics. Pingding pottery is cherished for its unique qualities: it “does not discolor when cooking rice, alter the taste when stewing meat, or affect the properties of medicinal herbs when decocting”. Crafted from locally sourced high-quality clay and shaped through meticulous processes like kneading, molding, and firing, each piece embodies the skill and wisdom of generations. Touching its coarse yet warm surface, one can almost hear the whispers of ancient kilns and feel the enduring vitality of this craft.

平遥·推光漆器：流光溢彩的宫廷艺术

Pingyao · Lacquerware with Polished Designs: The Radiance of Imperial Artistry  

走进晋中平遥，推光漆器髹饰技艺以其精湛的工艺和绚丽的色彩令人叹为观止。这项技艺于2006年入选国家级非物质文化遗产名录。推光漆器的制作需经过数十道严苛工序，漆底赋色以墨黑、霞红、杏黄、绿紫为主，再绘以民族风格的图案，造型雅致，色彩绚丽。每一件漆器都是民间艺术与宫廷艺术的完美融合，承载着匠人对美的极致追求。细细观赏，漆面如镜，流光溢彩，仿佛能照见历史的繁华。

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

Epilogue: A Slow Journey Through Time  

“太行一号”旅游公路不仅是一条连接山水的道路，更是一条穿越时空的文化走廊。平定砂器的质朴、推光漆器的华美、黎侯虎的灵动、晋城剪纸的鲜活，无不诉说着山西深厚的文化底蕴。当你踏上这条公路，请放慢脚步，细细品味这些非遗宝藏背后的故事，触摸历史的温度，感受三晋大地的独特魅力。相信这段旅程，定会让你收获满满的文化感动。

The Taihang No. 1 Tourist Highway is not merely a path through nature—it’s a gateway to cultural heritage. From the earthy simplicity of Pingding pottery to the luminous elegance of Pingyao lacquerware, the whimsical charm of the Lihou Tiger, and the vibrant storytelling of Jincheng paper-cuts, each treasure reflects Shanxi’s profound cultural legacy. As you travel this road, take your time to listen to their stories, touch the textures of history, and let yourself be enchanted by the spirit of Shanxi. This journey promises not just sights, but soul-stirring encounters with the past.

（图源网络侵删）

(The image source is from the internet. If infringement, it will be deleted.)

来源：中华网综合整理

Source: Comprehensive collation by sx.china.com