Members of the Xianju Mountain Song Art Troupe pose for a group photo with their awards and trophies. [Photo/The official news website of Taizhou]

Xianju mountain songs from Taizhou in East China's Zhejiang province won two awards at the 2026 Western Folk Song Festival, held in Urad Front Banner, Bayannuur, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, from July 24 to 31.

The event brought together 53 folk song ensembles and more than 300 singers from 32 regions, making it the largest edition of the festival to date. The Xianju Mountain Song Art Troupe was the sole representative from Zhejiang.

The troupe received the Best Performance Award and the Best Style Award for its original works, Yong'an Creek Flows On and Mountain Farming Cousins and Ramming Work Chant.

Xianju mountain songs are recognized as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in Zhejiang. Performed in the local dialect, this tradition showcases rural life, farming practices, and the customs of the mountainous county.

Local cultural authorities said they will continue to strengthen the protection and promotion of Xianju mountain songs through performances, exchanges, and cultural tourism initiatives, helping bring the centuries-old folk tradition to wider audiences across China.