Often regarded as one of the cradles of Chinese civilization, Henan Province sits at the heart of China's history. Home to ancient capitals and many cultural traditions, Henan preserves a remarkable range of intangible cultural heritage, five of which have been inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. A recent episode of Intangible Cultural Heritages of China, a cultural series produced by China Media Group and China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, takes viewers on a journey through Henan's rich heritage.

The rhythm of the central plains

In Henan, drums are far more than musical instruments. They are a way of telling stories, celebrating community and preserving local identity. Traditional performing arts such as the Shanzhou drum and gong storytelling, the Xuantian drum dance and Heluo Dagu combine music, narration, singing and dance in different ways.

Featuring large formations and highly demanding techniques, the Xuantian drum dance combines elements of martial arts, dance, opera and acrobatics into a single powerful performance. The Zhongzhou Big Drum is equally striking: performers carry massive drums weighing around 25 kilograms, creating a deep, resonant sound.

A city in bloom

Every spring, the ancient city of Luoyang is transformed into a sea of peonies. The Luoyang Peony Festival, which dates back more than 1,600 years, celebrates a flower long admired in Chinese culture as a symbol of prosperity, elegance and beauty. Behind the breathtaking displays lie years of careful cultivation: from selecting varieties and grafting plants to pruning and fertilizing them over many seasons.

The philosophy of Tai Chi

Developed more than 300 years ago, Chen-style of Tai Chi combines slow, flowing movements with sudden bursts of power. The practice reflects traditional Chinese ideas about balance, harmony and the relationship between softness and strength. In the program, a Tai Chi master demonstrates how force can be generated from the body's core and transmitted through the entire body, shattering a water-filled plastic bottle with a single strike.

Ancient traditions, new audiences

The show also highlights efforts to keep traditional culture relevant to younger generations. One example is Yuju Opera, a regional opera style from Henan. The show presents a unique blend of traditional singing with modern rock music. Another featured tradition is Jun porcelain. Unlike painted ceramics, Jun porcelain relies on the unpredictable interaction of minerals and glazes inside the kiln. During firing, colors flow and transform naturally, creating patterns that resemble clouds or even galaxies.

Through these living traditions, Henan offers a window into China's cultural continuity, showing how centuries-old crafts, performances and customs continue to evolve while remaining deeply connected to their roots.