News | “Longchuan Lion Shadow” Rural Cultural Heritage Exploration Team Conducts Field Research in Lizui Town, Heyuan City, Guangdong Province

From August 1 to August 7, 2024, the “Longchuan Lion Shadow” Rural Cultural Heritage Exploration Team from the School of Innovation and Creative Design at Southern University of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as the “School of Design”) carried out a week-long field investigation and practice in Lizui Town, Heyuan City, Guangdong Province, in response to the needs of local cultural tourism development. This initiative is part of the “Hundreds of Thousands Project” Summer Task Force for young university students, under the nationwide “Sanxiaxiang” summer social practice program, and was funded by a special grant from the SUSTech Youth League Committee.

Upon arriving in Lizui Town on August 1, the team held a meeting with Deputy Mayor He Shuq iand liaison officer Chen Qiwei to clarify the key focus of the project. On the following day, guided by Mr. Chen Qiwei, the team conducted a concentrated survey of Lizui’s cultural tourism resources and facilities, visiting the Longchuan Hand-held Puppet Theatre, the “Lotus Pond” rural tourism and education base, and planned accommodation areas.

Team discussion with Lizui Town leaders

First-day field research and group photo

In the following days, team members conducted semi-structured interviews with representative local intangible cultural heritage (ICH) inheritors, documenting and analyzing the inheritance processes, cultural features, and current challenges. During an interview with Mr. Qiu Qizhang, the fourth-generation inheritor of the Longchuan Cat-Head Lion, he remarked: “I worry that the skills of crafting the Cat-Head Lion may be lost. Even if my children work outside, I insist that they learn to make the Cat-Head Lion when they return home.” This reflects the dedication of inheritors to preserving folk traditions, while also highlighting the pressing challenges in heritage protection and transmission.

Team interview with Guangdong provincial ICH inheritor of the Longchuan Cat-Head Lion, Mr. Qiu Qizhang

Team photo with Mr. Qiu Qizhang

The team also engaged with Mr. Luo Zhihong, inheritor of the Longchuan Hand-held Puppet Theatre, and craftsman Mr. Qiu Xuehao, who specializes in making traditional lanterns, to explore the potential application of digital technologies in heritage preservation and development.

Team interview with Mr. Luo Zhihong and performers of the Longchuan Hand-held Puppet Theatre

After several days of fieldwork, documentation, analysis, and design, the team completed a Business Plan for the Operation of the Lizui Town Research and Learning Industry, compiled a research report based on first-hand interview data, and conducted digital scanning and interactive design exploration of the Longchuan Cat-Head Lion, a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage project. On the morning of August 7, the team presented their final report, which received high praise from the Lizui Town government.

Team achievement — Business Plan for Lizui Town’s Research and Learning Industry

Team achievement — Digital 3D models of the Longchuan Cat-Head Lion and masks

Team presenting their final report

Letter of Appreciation from Lizui Town Government

Reflections from Team Members

Gao Wenxin, Master’s student, Class of 2024, School of Innovation and Creative Design
“This research journey allowed me to delve into two intangible cultural heritage arts — the Longchuan Cat-Head Lion and the Hand-held Puppet Theatre. Through face-to-face exchanges with artisans, I felt the unique charm of these traditions. My week-long experience in Lizui Town not only revealed the simplicity of local customs but also enchanted me with its picturesque landscapes. This journey was more than just research — it was a spiritual cleansing, deepening my appreciation and respect for traditional culture.”

Wang Lanhaoyue, Undergraduate, Class of 2023, Shenzhen-Hong Kong School of Microelectronics
“Every tree’s future depends on its roots in the soil as it faces tomorrow. Under the guidance of Professor Zhang Wanlin, our Lizui Town project was both rich and inspiring. Students from different disciplines contributed their strengths, and for the first time I experienced the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration. We were reading a book beyond textbooks — a book about people and land. To make theory relevant, we needed to conduct surveys, interviews, and fieldwork. From theory to practice, I realized the importance of diligent study and exploring grassroots culture. Like young saplings, we grow from the soil and look toward the future.”

Jiang Nan, Undergraduate, Class of 2023, Department of Electronics
“What impressed me most during this ‘Sanxiaxiang’ activity was the necessity of preserving and developing traditional Chinese culture. Through interviews with inheritors and locals, I learned about the cultural value of puppet theatre and the Cat-Head Lion, while also realizing the great challenges they face, such as limited regions and audiences. I sincerely hope that our innovative development proposals for the Cat-Head Lion can support its sustainable growth, and that our business plan centered on these traditions will help promote both cultural and economic development in Lizui Town.”

Qiao Siyu, Undergraduate, Class of 2023, Bioinformatics
“This ‘Sanxiaxiang’ activity was truly rewarding. The Cat-Head Lion and puppet theatre of Lizui Town left a deep impression on me, and I also contributed to writing the commercial plan for cultural tourism and education investment. Overall, it was a very meaningful and unforgettable experience.”

Contributors: Fan Yuxiang, Zhang Wanlin
Reviewed by: Li Xu