A walk around the block

Renovated in recent years, the streets of Yangliuqing ancient town are home to an array of well-preserved old buildings that travelers can wander through and soak up its evocative atmosphere.

Along the main streets of the old town, visitors often come into close contact with local folk artists and watch them demonstrate their cultural arts. Visitors can talk to the artisans about the techniques they use to produce the Lunar New Year paintings that people hang on their walls to bring good fortune, and allow the artists to share their years of experience.

At Yucheng's Woodblock Print Shop, which was founded by the late Huo Yutang, a renowned inheritor of Yangliuqing woodblock printing, visitors can view the artworks made by his son Huo Qingshun, who is now China's top woodblock printing expert.

The 67-year-old artisan used to bemoan the fact the renowned Yangliuqing Fine Arts Press, which helped the town find fame for its woodblock printing, had relocated to downtown Tianjin.

"I held out hope for many years that the press would return to the ancient town from Tianjin, and I was very glad when I heard they were planning to move the press back here in the future."