Nantong's kite flying, Yancheng's autumn drying and Taizhou's seasonal brewing — the folk traditions of these three cities burst with color in the golden season. They hold the most vivid codes of Jiangsu's intangible cultural heritage, offering an immersive way to feel the charm of autumn through local customs.
Nantong: Kites Dancing in the Autumn Sky
While Langshan Mountain in Nantong is still veiled in morning mist, the kite-flying field along the Yangtze River is already lively. An inheritor of intangible cultural heritage grips the reel of a "hexagonal plate kite", whose whistle hums crisply in the wind. As the craftsman lifts his hand, the kite painted with "The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" rises slowly, spreading its wings beneath the azure autumn sky. Visitors can learn kite-making from the master: bamboo strips bend gracefully at the fingertips, silk paper is pasted with care, and mineral pigments sketch autumn landscapes. The handmade kite may be small, yet it carries endless seasonal delight. In the afternoon, visitors can take a painted boat along Haohe River to admire the golden ginkgo trees on both banks.
Taizhou: Autumn Brewing in Qintong's Fishing Town
At an old distillery, the steaming cauldron signals the start of the brewing season. The inheritor of this intangible craft lifts the lid of a wine jar — the freshly brewed rice wine gleams amber under the autumn sun, and its mellow aroma fills the lanes. Visitors can learn how to mix the yeast, fingers dusted with fragrant rice powder, while hearing the ancient saying "Autumn brewing, spring opening" — meaning wine brewed in autumn and aged through winter tastes richer in spring. In the morning, visitors can stroll through the Qinhu Lake fish market, where freshly caught crabs and silverfish jump in bamboo baskets. Fisherwomen tie the crabs with straw as their calls mingle with the scent of osmanthus — the marketplace brims with rustic charm. In the afternoon, the tour can be continued by entering into an old teahouse, ordering a pot of warm rice wine, and savoring it with Qinhu Lake Eight-Delicacy Cakes, a blend of seafood freshness and rice sweetness that intoxicates the senses. As evening falls, you can watch fishermen haul in their nets along the lakeshore, the setting sun gilding the mesh with gold. Then, consider buying a bottle of autumn-brewed rice wine as a souvenir — its lingering fragrance carries the essence of the season.
From Nantong's kites soaring in the sky to Taizhou's fragrant brewing jars, the autumn folk customs of Nantong, and Taizhou are far from still-life performances. They are living traditions that thrive through participation and experience. Amid the mellow autumn light, intangible heritage comes alive, preserving Jiangsu's most touching seasonal memories.
