On January 23, a market featuring intangible cultural heritage (ICH) opened at Nanjing South Railway Station, infusing the Spring Festival travel rush with a touch of cultural tradition. 

While waiting for trains, passengers now can engage in ICH workshops or purchase from a variety of crafts as Lunar New Year gifts. 

In the market, Zou Yingzi, a master of Suzhou-style embroidery, concentrated on a floral piece while sitting behind a simple table adorned with colorful silk threads and tiny embroidery needles. A crowd of passengers surrounded her, eager to catch a glimpse of her exquisite craftmanship. 

In the railway’s waiting hall, the ten well-designed booths featured gold foil, Yunjing brocade, Suzhou kesi silk tapestry weaving, and Yixing celadon, effectively transforming the venue into a museum. 

“During the busy travel season, this event will enable passengers to gain a deeper understanding of Jiangsu's intangible cultural heritage, while enhancing railway passenger services,” said Yang Cuikun, deputy Party chief of the Nanjing Office of China Railway Shanghai Group. He also said the expanding high-speed railway network could help promote Jiangsu's intangible cultural heritage far and wide. 

Furthermore, the market includes an experience area for passengers to explore a variety of ICH items, such as clay figurines and sugar painting. Zhang Jun, an inheritor of Nanjing-style paper-cutting, guided passengers through the process of folding and cutting paper while sharing the craft’s history.   

“I was in a hurry to go home for the Spring Festival and didn't expect such an encounter with Jiangsu's intangible cultural heritage at the railway station. This helps appreciate the charm of traditional culture first-hand, making the festival season even more special,” said a passenger from Shaanxi Province after receiving a lotus-shaped lamp.