Exploring Intangible Cultural Heritage Along Shanxi’s Yellow River No. 1 Tourist Highway

在山西境内，蜿蜒壮丽的黄河一号旅游公路不仅串联起忻州、吕梁、临汾、运城四市的自然风光，更是一条承载着深厚文化底蕴的非遗长廊。沿途种类繁多的非物质文化遗产，如同璀璨明珠，为这条公路增添了独特的魅力。今天，就让我们一起走进吕梁、临汾、运城，探寻三项国家级非遗宝藏的独特风采。

Stretching through Shanxi Province, the Yellow River No. 1 Tourist Highway connects the cities of Xinzhou, Lvliang, Linfen, and Yuncheng, offering not only breathtaking natural scenery but also a profound cultural journey. Along this route, a wealth of intangible cultural heritage shines like dazzling gems, enriching the travel experience. Today, let us explore three national-level intangible cultural treasures in Lvliang, Linfen, and Yuncheng.

吕梁·临县伞头秧歌：舞动千年的欢庆

Lvliang · Linxian Umbrella-Head Yangge: A Millennium-Old Celebration in Motion  

临县伞头秧歌是2008年入选第二批国家级非物质文化遗产名录的瑰宝。每年春节期间，这项充满活力的表演便会热闹登场。舞者们手持花伞，边舞边唱，歌词即兴创作，既诙谐幽默，又饱含对生活的美好祝愿。伞头秧歌不仅是中国北方社火秧歌的杰出代表，更是当地人民传承千年的文化庆典。它用欢快的节奏和生动的表演，展现了百姓对幸福生活的向往与追求，成为黄河岸边一道亮丽的风景线。

Linxian Umbrella-Head Yangge, inscribed in 2008 as part of China’s second national intangible cultural heritage list, is a vibrant performance held every Spring Festival. Dancers twirl colorful umbrellas while singing improvised lyrics, blending humor with heartfelt wishes for a prosperous life. As a standout representative of northern Chinese Shehuo Yangge (folk dance), this tradition has been passed down for centuries, embodying the local people’s joyous spirit and aspirations for happiness. It is a dazzling cultural spectacle along the banks of the Yellow River.

临汾·洪洞大槐树根祖文化：血脉相连的乡愁

Linfen · Hongtong Great Pagoda Tree Root-Seeking Culture: The Bonds of Kinship and Nostalgia  

洪洞大槐树根祖文化同样于2008年被列入国家级非物质文化遗产名录。它以明初大移民为背景，以大槐树为精神图腾，凝聚了无数海内外华人的寻根之情。每年清明节、中元节、寒衣节和春节，洪洞县都会举行盛大的祭祖仪式，吸引大批华人回乡祭拜。这一文化现象不仅是对历史的铭记，更是对宗亲之情的深切维系。站在大槐树下，仿佛能听见历史的回声，感受到血脉中流淌的乡愁。

Also recognized in 2008 as national intangible cultural heritage, the Hongtong Great Pagoda Tree Root-Seeking Culture traces its origins to the mass migrations of the early Ming Dynasty. The ancient pagoda tree serves as a spiritual symbol, drawing countless overseas Chinese back to their ancestral homeland. During major festivals such as Qingming (Tomb-Sweeping Day), Zhongyuan (Ghost Festival), Hanyi (Winter Clothing Festival), and the Spring Festival, grand ancestral worship ceremonies are held in Hongtong County. This cultural phenomenon not only commemorates history but also strengthens familial ties, allowing visitors to feel the echoes of the past and the deep nostalgia embedded in their roots.