A traditional round fan with a horse-themed paper-cut design. [Photo/WeChat account: kechengfabu]

Artisans in Kecheng district, Quzhou, Zhejiang province, are crafting a variety of cultural products and delicacies to enhance the festive atmosphere for the Year of the Horse.

In the Kecheng Paper-Cutting Heritage Workshop, hundreds of intricate paper-cut designs, such as "Galloping Steeds," adorn calendars, car ornaments, lanterns, and umbrellas. These innovative products are crafted by Zheng Zhihui, a provincial-level inheritor of this intangible cultural heritage.

"Spring Festival is one of the most important traditional holidays for Chinese people. To integrate this ancient art into daily life, I combine paper-cutting with everyday items like calendars and car ornaments," said Zheng.

Charming woven horse ornaments also add to the festive spirit. In the workshop, Wu Zhengxian, a city-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor, crafts the knitted hanging toys.

Wu began designing in November, perfecting color schemes and proportions to capture the horse's lively essence, and has already sold over 10,000 sets, with orders still pouring in.

The Year of the Horse has also inspired culinary creations. At a local restaurant, owner Fang Huixing is making festive steamed buns filled with red bean paste, incorporating elements like lucky horses and gold ingots, and has already secured nearly 200 pre-orders.