Manila: In a factory workshop in Huangchuan County, central China's Henan Province: nimble hands stretch strands of dough with practiced precision. The threads are kneaded, twisted, and carefully pulled apart with wooden sticks before being draped over high racks to dry, becoming the region's famed hollow tribute noodles.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Liu Laiwang, representative inheritor of the craft and head of Henan Wangxin Food Co., Ltd., shared, "Making hollow tribute noodles is my life's work." As an intangible cultural heritage of Henan Province, Huangchuan's hollow tribute noodles embody the wisdom of generations. Dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the noodle earned its name when it was presented to the imperial court as a form of tribute. Made from high-quality wheat flour, sesame oil, and salt, the noodles undergo more than ten intricate steps. In recent years, Huangchuan has actively expanded its noodle industry, aiming to achieve both social and economic benefits.
Liu's company operates a 5,200-square-meter standardized facility with an annual production capacity of 3,000 tonnes. The business has supported over 1,000 farming households in three villages under Fudian Town, lifting them out of poverty, and has provided employment for nearly 2,000 workers across the county's workshops. Another local delicacy from Huangchuan County is the Shuangliu fish ball, a city-level intangible heritage item. Wang Juguo, a city-level heritage bearer and store manager, has been continuing the family tradition of making Shuangliu fish balls for over 20 years. His business operates four chain stores, producing up to 5 tonnes of fish balls daily and supporting thousands of workers across the supply chain.
According to local cultural authorities in Huangchuan, the county holds regular free training sessions for inheritors of intangible cultural heritages, including hollow noodles and fish balls. More than 2,000 individuals have been trained, transforming craftsmanship into thriving industries that generate income and opportunities for local farmers. In addition to its culinary heritage, Huangchuan is embracing other forms of cultural innovation, such as turtle shell art. Zhou Zhen, a returned overseas doctoral graduate, is working to transform cultural heritage into creative products. Sales through e-commerce platforms have surged, and Zhou's team is utilizing live-streaming and digital marketing to breathe new life into local traditions.
The revival of traditional crafts and local specialties in Huangchuan reflects a broader national push in China to preserve intangible cultural heritage and promote rural revitalization. China's intangible heritage has gained increasing global recognition, with over 40 elements inscribed on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Under the country's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), intangible heritage is seen as a dynamic force in economic development. Efforts are underway across the country to ensure that age-old techniques not only survive but thrive by adapting to modern markets and production models. Huangchuan is integrating immersive technologies, digital storytelling, and livestreaming to reimagine local heritage as engaging digital content to support rural incomes.