Reviving a grand spectacle

[Photo provided to China Daily]

Speaking about the preservation process, he says: "Some of the rituals are being integrated into souvenirs for tourists, but we are also considering other ways to preserve them."

According to Ding's office, there were six national-level, 75 autonomous region-level, and 135 city-level forms of intangible cultural heritage in Ordos as of June 2016.

And, in August, the city opened the first exhibition gallery in Inner Mongolia focusing on intangible cultural heritage.

The gallery, covering 5,000 square meters, has given Ding confidence about his endeavor.

Speaking about the gallery, he says: "In the summer, the exhibition hall can be a showcase for tourists. And, at other times, it can function as an institution for inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to deliver lectures or train students."

Separately, being the richest city in Inner Mongolia, Ordos has stepped up to provide financial incentives to promote the protection of the cultural heritage.

For instance, as of now, each city-level inheritor of such heritage gets 5,000 yuan ($749) a year from the municipal government, which also ensures that the money is put to good use.

Speaking about the checks and balances in place, Ding says: "We have a monitoring system to make sure they use the money in the work.

"The evaluation criteria is also there. Each inheritor is expected to recruit two students every year, and participate in at least two intangible cultural heritage exhibitions."