Photographs on display attract students. [Photo/WeChat account: kechengfabu]

The "Discover Kecheng" Photography and Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition was unveiled on Nov 26 at the University of Northampton in the United Kingdom, showcasing the unique charms of Kecheng district in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province.

This marks another international presentation of the "Discover Kecheng" Photography and Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition, following exhibitions in Bangladesh and Thailand, with students from Quzhou College enthusiastically introducing Kecheng's culture to an international audience.

Every year, Kecheng's Jiuhua township holds a traditional ceremony to welcome the Start of Spring or li chun — the first solar term of China's "24 solar terms" — praying for favorable weather and abundant harvests in the coming year. The "Jiuhua Start of Spring Ceremony" was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage item in 2011.

At the exhibition, intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, such as paper-cutting works, mugwort massage hammers, and cultural creations inspired by "Jiuhua Start of Spring Ceremony" and Southern Confucianism, quickly became popular among students and faculty.

Cultural creations and photographs are on display. [Photo/WeChat account: kechengfabu]

The photography exhibition also drew significant attention. Featuring scenes from the Quzhou Ancient City scenic area, the Lanke Mountain, and the Family Temple of Confucius, the photographs offered a vivid glimpse into Kecheng's scenic beauty, cultural heritage, and contemporary vibrancy.

Many UK students expressed their fascination with traditional Chinese culture, noting this was their first close encounter. Many hoped to visit Kecheng for an immersive cultural experience in the future.