Living Cultural Heritage

China boasts a very long history and a rich cultural heritage. Many traditions are still very much alive. Some of those, such as tai chi and Chinese Chess, are ubiquitous around the country. Others, like Suzhou embroidery and Thangka art, are preserved in specific regions or practiced by different ethnic groups. In this column, writer Peter Zhang and arts editor Chen Jie will offer readers insight into some of the most popular living cultural practices in the country, as well as some of the fascinating stories behind each of them. This series of articles is also intended to help readers obtain a better understanding of traditional Chinese culture and the people who helped create it.