Qingtian stone carving pieces are displayed in Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

The 14th China (Zhejiang) Arts and Crafts Expo, held for the first time in Lishui, ran from April 24 to 26 at the Lishui International Convention Center.

The expo brought together fine works from across the province. Qingtian stone carving, a national intangible cultural heritage, stood out with a 600-square-meter exhibition area, 60 booths and 256 pieces, marking the eighth stop of its national tour.

The exhibition area was designed as an immersive garden unfolding in four chapters, tracing the journey from raw stone to artistic creation.

The opening chapter displayed 21 raw stone specimens from core mines. Subsequent chapters presented masterpieces by different generations of artists, with subjects ranging from landscapes and figures to flowers and animals.

Visitors were captivated. One local resident praised the clever layout and high-quality works as embodying both historical preservation and innovation.

The exhibition area also offered hands-on carving experiences under the guidance of artisans, along with Qingtian coffee and cultural creative products, bringing local culture closer to the public.

During the opening ceremony, two Qingtian stone carving studios were recognized as provincial innovation studios.

Xu Weijun, head of the Zhejiang Arts and Crafts Industry Association, said that tradition must blend with innovation and that the association would continue to build platforms and adopt AR technology to promote Zhejiang's fine crafts.