As one of the most highly anticipated parts of the Yellow River Culture Forum, the 2023 Yellow River Fair in the city of Dongying in east China's Shandong, where the river flows into the sea, has attracted intangible cultural inheritors and folk artists from along the Yellow River to present their sophisticated skills and crafts.

Throngs of people are drawn towards the mouthwatering snacks and delicacies such as Zibo barbecue, Shanxi vinegar cakes and Ningxia goji berries. Live performances of regional operas and acrobatics are also available at the fair.

Once a small-scale night market in the downtown area, it has since been developed by the local government into a cultural night fair, bringing together China's intangible cultural heritage and creative products from the nine provinces and regions along the Yellow River.

"Dongying is the last stop on the Yellow River, where it converges with the sea. This event is also an important way of promoting cultural and tourism consumption and boosting consumers' confidence," said Li Huifen, director of the city's Bureau of Culture and Tourism.

The fair has won the hearts of tourists and locals alike. "I hope more people can learn about Yellow River culture through Qiang embroidery, and vice versa. This fair has inspired me to create embroidery works themed around the Yellow River when I return home," said Zhang Juyue, an inheritor of Qiang embroidery from southwest China's Sichuan.  

Erika Lizardo, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Peru in China, said she was impressed by the warm-hearted nature of local people, adding they are kind and happy to share their sophisticated skills and crafts with their foreign guests.  

The Yellow River Fair will be held every weekend to give more people the opportunity to get in touch with the rich culture and abundant products created along the course of China's "Mother River" throughout its history.