Situated at the Baihuazhou historical block in Jinan, the capital of Shandong province, the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Experience Museum demonstrates how traditional items can be used in modern life as well as help increase the incomes of rural craftsmen and aid rural development.

For example, traditional straw weaving handicrafts in Xinhe town, Pingdu, a county-level city in Qingdao can today be found in homestay facilities. The technique has also been applied to accessories such as bags, hats, beds and chairs.

Xinhe has become the largest straw weaving handicraft processing and export base in northern China, employing more than 20,000 people and helping lift locals out of poverty.

Straw weaving decorative pieces are exhibited at the Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience Museum in Jinan. [Photo by Xiao Da/chinadaily.com.cn]

A customer selects ICH products. [Photo by Xiao Da/chinadaily.com.cn]

A display of straw weaving products at the Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience Museum in Jinan [Photo by Xiao Da/chinadaily.com.cn]

ICH products on display [Photo by Xiao Da/chinadaily.com.cn]

Straw weaving furniture [Photo by Xiao Da/chinadaily.com.cn]

Visitors look at straw weaving products. [Photo by Xiao Da/chinadaily.com.cn]