Yangzhou, a city on the bank of the Yangtze River in east China's Jiangsu Province, will host two exhibitions highlighting jade carvings and lacquerware this spring.

Various jade carvings and lacquerware from around the world will be showcased during the Sixth Chinese Jade Carvings Exposition and the 2011 China Lacquerwares Exhibition in the Yangzhou Art Gallery from April 16 to 19.

With a display area of 8,000 square meters, the two exhibitions have attracted more than 100 companies.

Yangzhou is also famous for its jade carvings, an ancient craft with a 5,000 year history. The art of jade carving hit its peak during three flourishing Chinese dynasties: the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD), the Tang Dynasty (618 AD - 907 AD) and the Qing Dynasty (1644 AD - 1911 AD).

The artistic style of Yangzhou lacquerware has also earned a strong reputation both at home and abroad.

Yangzhou's jade carvings and lacquerware are both placed on China's National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Liu Aiguo, director of Yangzhou Arts and Crafts Group Co., Ltd., said that some outstanding jade carvings and lacquerware will be presented with awards during the exhibitions.

To date, about 450 pieces of jade and 180 lacquerware items have been collected as entries.

Source: Xinhua