The second Taishan jade carving contest takes place at Taishan International Convention Center in Tai'an, Shandong province on Sept 6-8. [Photo/dzwww.com]

The second Taishan jade carving contest took place at the Taishan International Convention Center in Tai'an, Shandong province from Sept 6-8.

Taishan jade, or Mount Tai jade, is one of the Tai'an Sibao, meaning the four treasures of Tai'an. The other three are Mount Tai tea, Mount Tai hemp, and Feicheng (a county-level city of Tai'an) mahogany.

Jointly organized by the Gems and Jewelry Trade Association of China, the China Tourism Commodity and Equipment Association and the Tai'an government, the event aimed to promote the sound development of the Taishan jade industry and popularize Taishan jade.

In total more than 300 works by jade carving masters from around China were submitted, of which 157 were chosen to be displayed during the event.

The jade kettle and cup are exhibited at Taishan International Convention Center in Tai'an, Shandong province on Sept 6-8. [Photo/zbwg.cc]

Well-known Chinese jewelry enterprises were also invited to exhibit various kinds of jewelry and jade, including coral, amber, crystal, sapphire and pearl pieces.

Additionally, a course of lectures by Song Shiyi, inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage jade carving, was also provided to promote the connection between Mount Tai culture and Taishan jade carving, and to stimulate the development of the jade carving industry.

As an important part of the 2018 Mount Tai Climbing Festival that was held from Sept 6-12, the Taishan jade carving contest was first hosted in 2017.

The twelve creatures of the Chinese zodiac are displayed at Taishan International Convention Center in Tai'an, Shandong province on Sept 6-8. [Photo/zbwg.cc]