Hohhot's first intangible cultural heritage (ICH) gourmet festival was held in Wuchuan county, Hohhot, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Aug 6.

Organizers invited inheritors of intangible cultural heritage items to showcase the process for making local dishes such as Wuchuan Youmian (noodles made from oat flour), with the aim of further exploring the unique food culture of Inner Mongolia and developing a cultural tourism brand for the region.

An unveiling ceremony for a Wuchuan Youmian center was also held on the same day.

The new center covers an area of 1,300 square meters and teaches people how to make Wuchuan Youmian.

Wuchuan county, located in the center of Inner Mongolia, is renowned for its agricultural products, especially Youmian. The preparation process for Wuchuan Youmian was included in the region's list of intangible cultural heritage items in 2015.

Hohhot has developed a strong system for the protection and promotion of ICH items.

Statistics show that Hohhot currently has 150 ICH items and 202 ICH inheritors. It has built 49 centers to promote ICH items.

According to the local government, the city will step up efforts to protect ICH items and encourage locals to pass on ICH items in order to contribute to poverty alleviation and rural revitalization in the region.

Visitors taste some local food during the first intangible cultural heritage (ICH) gourmet festival held in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Aug 6. [Photo/hhhtnews]