Qijiang embraces tradition to improve economy

In Qijiang district in southwestern Chongqing, its 2,000-year-old salt trade, immigrant culture and Liao people's culture, as well as its regional cuisines are being better explored to help improve livelihoods and the local economy.

In Dongxi, a historical and cultural town, local residents are making the most of traditional Huangjing bean curd, Dongxi black duck and Dongxi fermented tofu dishes, while adding new varieties such as dried radish, Yanggou roast meat and Dongxi clear spring fish, to create an appetizing and unique "Dongxi Tourism" industry.

During the 10 or so days of this year's Spring Festival holiday, the town attracted over 500,000 tourists, who swarmed to see its rural culture, cultural relics and delicious cuisine.

Huang Xiaobo, a farmer in Dongxi with a family tradition of woodcarving, has applied for intangible cultural heritage status for "Huang's Woodcarving".

After opening a shop in Dongxi selling his handmade woodcarving ornaments and utensils, he also began to offer woodcarving classes, where tourists can visit and learn how it is done firsthand.

The family's tradition has come back to life, and Huang's Woodcarving has become an attraction for tourists, as after learning the skill in the shop, they can make small souvenirs to take back home, gaining both spiritually and materially, he said.

Bamboo-woven dustpans, a common farming tool in local areas, is also a tradition that has been handed down over hundreds of years, and the local people have combined it with salt transport pier culture to develop the Dongxi Intangible Cultural Heritage Dustpan Feast, which has become an instant hit among tourists.

"Cultural vitalization is one key aspect for rural vitalization," Huang said, noting that combining rural traditions and historical culture with people's daily needs can not only help preserve and develop rural culture, but also promote rural economic development and increase farmers' incomes.

In Dongxi alone, there are currently 16 municipal and district-level preserved intangible cultural heritage items, as well as over 200 municipal and district-level cultural relics, Huang said.

"Rural history, traditions, farming, intangible cultural heritage and other cultures are unique resources for rural industrial development," he said, stressing that these cultural resources should be well protected and developed, making them a new driving force for rural vitalization.

In the first three quarters, Qijiang's regional GDP jumped 3.2 percent at constant prices, among which the total output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery stood at 7.366 billion yuan ($1.02 billion), he said.

Administering 31 towns and subdistricts with a population of 1.01 million, Qijiang — with its long history and profound cultural heritage — now has 42 ethnic minorities in its region, bringing it rich cultural characteristics.

Contact the writers at zhuangqiange@chinadaily.com.cn