Tucked away in the storied lanes of the Enning Road historical district in Guangzhou lies a living tribute to tradition — a cluster of a dozen or so studios where the city's intangible cultural heritage is not just preserved, but celebrated.

Here, centuries-old crafts, such as Cantonese porcelain, embroidery, and Guangdong lion dancing, find new resonance. These studios are more than showcases of artistry; they are interactive spaces where visitors can handle brushes, thread needles, and even bring a fabric lion's head to life.

Each studio feels like a mini museum — a blend of creation, display, retail, and immersive experiences. Together, they illuminate the daily rhythms of heritage preservation while encouraging the bold new ideas needed to keep these traditions relevant.

Anchoring this hub is Yongqing Fang, a revitalized section of the district that has become a cultural cornerstone of Guangzhou. These heritage-focused studios infuse fresh energy into the old neighborhood, drawing curious residents and tourists alike. The growing foot traffic has, in turn, amplified the reach and relevance of Guangzhou's intangible cultural heritage.

"Yongqing Fang has become a cultural emblem of Guangzhou," says Zhai Huiling, a provincial inheritor of Cantonese porcelain, who opened her studio in Yongqing Fang in 2020. "The heritage street adds a bright and vibrant hue to its identity."

Since its official opening in 2020, Yongqing Fang's intangible cultural heritage district has earned national acclaim. That same year, the "Guangzhou Old City, New Vitality Cultural Heritage Tour", which begins in Yongqing Fang, was named one of 12 national intangible cultural heritage-themed tourist routes by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Four years ago, Wang Xinyuan, a city-level inheritor of Cantonese embroidery, introduced his art to Yongqing Fang by opening a studio that reimagines tradition.

Determined to take embroidery beyond the picture frame, Wang makes modern items — scarves, brooches and handbags — that blend classic techniques with elements of oil painting, sculpture and photography.

Embroidery subjects, previously rooted in flowers and birds and now ranging from famous artworks and bronze relics to anime, are taking Cantonese embroidery to new artistic realms.

"Yongqing Fang has become a cultural window," Wang says. "It preserves Guangzhou's beauty while keeping our heritage alive."

At the district's entrance, a bold red facade marks the lion dance workshop run by Zhao Weibin, a fifth-generation inheritor of Zhao family lion dancing, and president of the Guangzhou Dragon and Lion Dance Association.

"This red is unmistakably ours," Zhao says. "It embodies Lingnan (southern China) culture."

Inside, lion-themed figurines, jewelry, and mugs surround a glowing LED emblem while a small cafe serves coffee and cakes decorated with lion motifs — perfect for social media, Zhao says. Upstairs, visitors will find a towering lion head, motion-sensing robot competitions and hands-on crafting spaces.

In May 2022, Guangzhou's bureau of culture, radio, television and tourism unveiled a plan to strengthen the protection of intangible cultural heritage, emphasizing clustering as a key strategy. It aimed to embed heritage in tourist sites, museums, schools, shopping malls and communities to solidify its place in everyday life.

In Yongqing Fang, this vision is taking shape. The heritage studios are deepening ties with nearby schools and communities, offering lessons and live demonstrations and inviting students and residents to experience the craft firsthand.

Tan Guanghui, a 63-year-old national inheritor of Cantonese porcelain, or guangcai, is known as a guardian of one of Guangzhou's most cherished traditions. His studio, among the first to open in Yongqing Fang, showcases four decades of dedication to a craft that has captivated connoisseurs for centuries.

Dating back about 300 years, guangcai blends Chinese and European porcelain techniques to produce dazzling designs distinguished by their intricate patterns and gilded details. "Owning guangcai was once a mark of prestige among European aristocracy," Tan says, noting that customer orders were common as far back as the time of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Pieces commissioned by European nobles that bore family crests became treasured heirlooms.

In 2018, when President Xi Jinping visited Yongqing Fang, Tan showed him guangcai alongside other local heritage arts. The encounter, Tan says, solidified his commitment to preserving the craft.

For Tan, the path to preservation lies in engaging young people. He has introduced guangcai workshops to 20 schools, including the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, and launched an apprenticeship program at the Guangzhou Light Industry Vocational School. "If we want guangcai to thrive, we must first make young people love it," he says.

His studio, nestled in the bustling streets of Yongqing Fang, serves as both a gallery and a classroom where visitors can view his intricate designs, as well as those of his students. "Yongqing Fang's growing popularity has brought more visitors to my shop," he says. "Many are drawn to the beauty of guangcai with overwhelming response."

In recent years, digital technology and social media have given practitioners of intangible cultural heritage a wider reach. Online platforms allow people to see traditional crafts, learn techniques and purchase products from home.

At Zhou Chengjie's Cantonese porcelain shop in Yongqing Fang, traditional craftsmanship meets modern technology. Zhou views his studio as a space for connecting with younger generations.

He makes items like magnets and postcards that blend classic designs with cartoon elements, all using iPad software.

"Moving to Yongqing Fang, I started experimenting with iPad software to sketch my designs," Zhou says. "It was a challenge at first. Technology allows us to express traditional culture in new ways, revealing its true charm."

Zhou has also responded to the popularity of stamp collecting among younger visitors by designing a series of stamps that feature Cantonese porcelain motifs alongside Guangzhou landmarks and intangible heritage, drawing crowds eager to take photos.

A passionate collector of classical Cantonese porcelain patterns, Zhou has digitalized the designs, preserving them for future generations.

In addition to embracing technology, he shares his work on short-video platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu. "I post my favorite pieces there," he says. "Using digital tools helps give traditional culture a contemporary voice."

Since relocating to Yongqing Fang, Zhou's workload has increased significantly, with students regularly visiting his studio to experience the art firsthand.

"Yongqing Fang has become a gathering place for heritage practitioners," he says. "It's a place for exchanging ideas and bringing intangible cultural heritage into the present."