Full coverage: Dragon Boat Festival

The historic city of Suzhou in East China has held a special exhibition showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the city. Let's take a look.

Kesi, or "cut silk" and nut carvings are on display here at the Suzhou Museum, with artists showcasing their craft on site.

"cut silk"

Nut carvings are exquisitely carved from peach pits, almonds, olive pits and hickory nuts. These sculptures featuring relief carvings are each created according the specific shape and texture of each nut.

"Passing down the cutlural heritage doesn't simply mean inheriting the craft, but to innovate the craft and make it a part of people's life. Preserving traditional culture is now a priority on our agenda for the city of Suzhou. We believe that culture defines not only the past of a city, but also its future," said Gao Li, Organizer of Suzhou Folk Culture Festival.

Kesi stands as a symbol of Suzhou's cultural achievements. As a style of Chinese silk tapestry, Kesi is highly regarded both for the intricacy of its design and vibrant patterns.

Kesi means "cut silk", a name that derives from the false appearance of "cut threads" as a result of the specific color patterns typical of this style.

Throughout history, these tapestries have been coveted by the elite class for its intricate craftsmanship and refined style.

"The techinque of Chinese silk tapestry boasts a history of over 2000 years. People may see intricate silk accessories in museums, but they don't neccesarily know how it's made. So we want to show that to the public," said Chinese Silk Tapestry Artist Chen Wen.

The artist also offers scented sachets made from the silk work and they've proven to be quite popular, since wearing scented sachets is an important custom at the Dragon Boat Festival.

The city authorities have also set up a fund rewarding those contributing to the development of Kunqu opera, another key artistic export of Suzhou.