Hong Kong's Intangible Heritage Takes Center Stage at Xintiandi

The first stop of "Trendy Heritage · Hong Kong in Shanghai" kicked off on Friday at Xintiandi Dongtaili, a revitalized landmark blending history with dynamic urban life.

Hosted by the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, this weekend event marks the chamber's 30th anniversary and serves as a prelude to the 30th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland in 2027.

It brings Hong Kong intangible cultural heritage (ICH) to a bustling downtown shopping area, pairing exhibitions, stage performances, hands-on workshops and a brand marketplace.

"We want to act as a bridge connecting business communities in Hong Kong and Shanghai, bringing Hong Kong culture and brands into Shanghai's commercial spaces," said Cheung Kwok-ching, president of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, at the opening ceremony.

"Visitors can view exhibits, try handicrafts, savor Hong Kong flavors and pick up souvenirs. The event is also designed to boost weekend consumption in the shopping district and create face-to-face opportunities for Hong Kong brands to connect with local consumers and understand the Shanghai market."

For the first time, iconic installations inspired by the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival's bun-scrambling tradition and the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance have been recreated in Shanghai. Visitors can pose for photos in front of floral altar and bun tower displays and wander through a streetscape recreating the Tai Hang fire dragon procession.

"Hong Kong and Shanghai enjoy close exchanges with a solid grassroots foundation for cultural ties," said Wong Hoi Yee, director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai.

"We hope this event lets Shanghai residents discover a different side of Hong Kong through its festive customs, traditional crafts and contemporary creations, and makes cross-city cultural exchanges part of everyday life."

The experience also features modern twists on heritage. Guests can try on qipao designed by Hong Kong creators or use AI to virtually transform into Cantonese opera characters, seeing how Hong Kong's traditional culture is reinterpreted for today's audiences.

Sixteen hands-on workshops are available, featuring young creators, established artists and ICH inheritors from both Hong Kong and Shanghai.

"We hope visitors can sit down, make something with their own hands, appreciate the ingenuity of traditional crafts and feel the charm of Hong Kong culture," said Chan Po-kam, vice president of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and convener of the event organizing committee.

Following the Dongtaili debut, two more editions of "Trendy Heritage · Hong Kong in Shanghai" are scheduled to take place in Shanghai in 2027. Exact dates and venues will be announced later.