A bar of handmade soap is on display at the newly-opened workshop in Tangzha ancient town, Nantong on July 25 [Photo/VCG]

A handmade soap workshop opened in Tangzha ancient town in Nantong, Jiangsu province on July 25.

The workshop, which celebrates the history and culture surrounding soap, was sponsored by Tangzha Ancient Town Preservation and Development Co and Shanghai Soap Co. It is the first of its kind in China.

The workshop, located at the former site of an oil factory founded in 1902 by Zhang Jian, a renowned industrialist and scholar, features a two-story building and covers an area of over 400 square meters.

The first floor is themed around the origin of soap, bathing cultures of the East and West, and various types of soap and production techniques.

The second floor showcases an array of handmade soap and allows visitors to try their hands at making soap.

The workshop is open to the public for free and does not require an appointment.