White tea and ceramics tell Songxi story at Beijing exhibition

At the foot of the majestic Wuyi Mountain, in northern Fujian province, lie villages and towns shaped by breathtaking landscapes and a rich cultural lineage that have produced a wealth of arts and crafts.

Songxi county, Nanping, is one such place, where centuries-old traditions reflect the diverse and harmonious tapestry of Chinese civilization.

From May 16 to 26, artists and craftspeople from Songxi are presenting the region's cultural treasures at the Chinese Traditional Culture Museum in Beijing. Since opening, the museum has served as a platform to showcase the country's diverse cultural heritage.

Tea lovers can enjoy a good sip of baicha, or white tea, celebrated for its delicate flavor and natural sweetness preserved through minimal processing. Songxi is regarded as one of the birthplaces of white tea, with origins tracing back to the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Today, more than 30 varieties of white tea are grown across the county.

Also on display is the famed Zhanlu Sword, considered one of ancient China's five legendary swords. It was first forged by the renowned swordsmith Ou Yezi at Zhanlu Mountain in Nanping. The scabbards are decorated using intricate hand-carving and pattern-hammering techniques, while the blades undergo repeated polishing by hand to achieve their refined finish.

The exhibition also presents celadon works and jianzhan ware, regarded as masterpieces of China's black ceramics tradition. Their production follows techniques established by the Jiulong Kiln, which rose to prominence in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Jiulong celadon was praised for its ice-like purity and pearl-like luster. These ceramics traveled overseas along the Maritime Silk Road, and gained acclaim far beyond China.