A resident imprints a design onto a steamed bun with a Qingtian stone seal. [Photo/Tide News]

Amid the excitement of Game 3 of the finals of the ZheBA, or the Zhejiang Provincial City Basketball League, in Hangzhou on Feb 4, Qingtian stone carving, a national intangible cultural heritage of Lishui, attracted much attention.

Qingtian stone seals and Jinyun Nanxiang steamed buns made for an unlikely pairing at a promotional stall outside the venue.

This creative combination allowed visitors to stamp selected character designs, carved from Qingtian stone, onto warm steamed buns. The interactive activity was widely praised as an interesting way to engage with traditional culture.

While a successful trial during the ZheBA finals Game 2 saw strong sales, the stall experienced even greater popularity this time around.

Stone carving artist Miao Haibin said that interest peaked following the local team's victory, with numerous visitors asking about custom seals. For the event, seven new stamps were introduced, incorporating elements of regional culture and sports.

The positive response has encouraged further exploration of ways to promote tradition through public engagement. As part of its evolving preservation strategy, Qingtian stone carving is increasingly being integrated into modern events and cross-sector collaborations.

Moving forward, efforts will be made to enhance the craft's visibility by focusing on deeper synergy with tourism, design, and digital innovation.