An exhibition at the festival featured handicrafts and folk customs from nine provinces and autonomous regions along the Yellow River. [Photo by Wang Jing/chinadaily.com.cn]

Intangible cultural inheritors and folk artists from nine provinces and autonomous regions along the Yellow River gathered in Dongying, Shandong province, at a festival to showcase the rich cultures cultivated along the Yellow River basin.

Handicrafts and performances were on display in booths and on stages along the banks of a downtown lake, when the city hosted a two-day Yellow Cultural Forum which started on Tuesday.

The Yellow River Festival from Sunday to Tuesday attracted citizens and tourists.

At the booth of Huanghekou Huamo, a flower-shaped steamed bun, the craftswoman, Bi Wenjing, placed a huge flower bun weighing 30 kilograms in the booth, attracting tourists to watch and take photos. Bi said she started work at 9 am and saw the visitors soaring as darkness fell.

In addition, more than 100 characteristic agricultural products were on sale, while delicious foods were also available, including barbecue from Zibo, Shandong province, which recently trended on Chinese social media.

Sun Zhaohai, a resident of Dongying said people could taste delicious food while learning about folk customs at the festival, making it perfect for children.

The Yellow River, the second-longest river in China, originates on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and flows through nine provinces and autonomous regions from west to east, eventually reaching the Bohai Sea. It is often called the cradle of Chinese civilization.

Huanghekou flower-shaped steamed buns are popular in the Yellow River mouth region of Shandong province. [Photo by Wang Jing/chinadaily.com.cn]

Colored glass from Boshan, Shandong province, was on display. [Photo by Wang Jing/chinadaily.com.cn]