Singaporeans observe Master Huang Xiaojian as he skillfully makes a block print. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

Hangzhou's rich cultural heritage took center stage at the 2025 Hangzhou Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition in Singapore on Feb 1, local media outlets reported.

Held at Suntec City Mall, one of Singapore's largest commercial complexes, the event featured traditional craftsmanship such as West Lake silk umbrella making, Wang Xing Ji fan making, and Hangzhou's time-honored block printing technique.

Among the highlights was an interactive showcase of Hangzhou's block printing, a national-level intangible cultural heritage item recognized in 2011. Master craftsman Huang Xiaojian, 72, a recognized inheritor of this centuries-old art, engaged with visitors, explaining the process, which includes engraving, inking, and pressing onto paper.

For this exhibition, Huang specially designed a Golden Snake Welcomes Spring print for the Year of the Snake. Carved on pearwood, the artwork features a snake coiled into the shape of a Chinese knot, making it a hit among Singaporean children, with over 300 prints given away.

Huang's son, Huang Jiecheng, is also innovating with modern adaptations of block printing, incorporating pop culture elements such as internet slang and colorful cartoon-styled God of Door prints that appeal to younger generations.

The father-son duo is on a global journey to promote Chinese traditional arts. While Huang Xiaojian returns to Hangzhou for a brief reunion, his son is set to travel to Malta and Sweden for Lantern Festival celebrations, continuing their mission to share Chinese culture worldwide.

Master Huang poses with a Singaporean child. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]