The list of the fifth group of Chinese national intangible cultural heritage was officially released recently and three examples from Lishui city – in East China's Zhejiang province – were placed on the list, according to local media reports.

Intangible cultural heritage is a body of thought, art and human expression that includes oral traditions, the performing arts, social practices and knowledge, as well as skills surrounding traditional handicrafts.

The three items from Lishui to be recognized nationally are the Jingning ribbon weaving skills, the Yunhe ploughing ceremony and the Jinyun Baked Bun.

Jingning ribbon weaving skills

An old woman wearing traditional She clothes works on making a ribbon. [Photo/lsnews.com.cn]

As the traditional handicraft fabric of the She ethnic group, the ribbon is regarded as a "living fossil" of She culture, as well as an emblem for making pledges of love, being used in marriage ceremonies and for blessings for a good life for the She people.

Yunhe ploughing ceremony

A farmer moves cattle on the Meiyuan Terrace in Yunhe county, administered by Lishui city. [Photo/lsnews.com.cn]

The ploughing ceremony of the Meiyuan Terrace in Yunhe county, marking the first plough of the year, is held annually during mangzhong, or Grain in Ear, being the ninth of China's 24 solar terms.

The tradition has been observed in Yunhe for more than 800 years and it is carried out to pray for the harvest in the forthcoming year.

Jinyun baked bun baking skills

A delicious swirl of fresh Jinyun baked buns are set out, ready to be eaten. [Photo/lsnews.com.cn]

The Jinyun baked bun is a famous gastronomic delight from Jinyun county and is considered as a China Famous Snack by the China Cuisine Association. The bun, which stuffed with meat and meigancai (a type of dried pickle), is baked and roasted in a big oven until it is crispy.