The 13th Cross-Strait Taishan Shigandang Cultural Festival opens on Sept 5 in Tai'an, Shandong province. [photo/WeChat account: TSTXTA]

The 13th Cross-Strait Taishan Shigandang Cultural Festival opened on Sept 5 in Qiujiadian, a town in Tai'an in Shandong province, which is known as the birthplace of the Shigandang custom.

The festival, which has been an annual event since 2011, has become an important platform to promote non-governmental exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.

This year, the festival, which will last through Sept 7, features a series of lectures, folk arts and crafts exhibitions, a photography competition and a short video competition, along with other cultural activities.

The festival features a series of folk art and craft events to promote exchanges across the Taiwan Strait. [Photo/WeChat account: TSTXTA]

Shigandang is a legacy of people's worship of sacred stones in ancient times. Small stone tablets or figures are erected at the key points of bridges or built on the walls of houses, with the word "Shigandang" engraved or written on them to keep evil forces at bay.

The custom of "Shigandang", which has been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage, is popular in many parts of China including Taiwan.