An exhibition of the ancient crafts from Ya'an, Sichuan Province, became an instant highlight of China Week during the Paris Design Week. Set against the distant silhouette of the Eiffel Tower, the exhibition opened on September 4 at the China Cultural Center on the left bank of the Seine. The smooth, jade-like surfaces of Yingjing pottery, the rich aroma of Ya'an tea, and the brilliant colors of Tibetan-Qiang embroidery filled the space. These traditional treasures brought a distinctive Ya’an elegance to the Parisian autumn. 

"I've never seen the cultural heritage of western China this close before. There's a striking harmony between the rustic and the refined," said Jean-François Monet, a celebrated Parisian artist, his gaze fixed on a piece of Yingjing black pottery. "Look at the texture - it's raw yet delicate. The shifting glaze feels like time flowing across its surface. This raw, natural beauty really speaks to the kind of naturalism we're exploring in French art today." 

A poster of China Week at Paris Design Week featuring cultural elements from Ya’an 

A Parisian debut 

Ya'an, a city on the western edge of the Sichuan Basin, is the historic starting point of the Sichuan-Tibet section of the Tea Horse Road and a vibrant confluence of Han, Tibetan, and Qiang cultures. The exhibition featured the region’s most iconic traditions, including Yingjing black pottery, recognized as national intangible cultural heritage, and the time-honored techniques for making Southern Route Border Tea and Mengshan tea. 

China Week curator Su Xinxuan explained the process of creating Yingjing pottery, captivating the audience. It seemed almost improbable that lumps of black clay, fired at 1300°C, could become gleaming, dark vessels. Born during China's Qin and Han dynasties, this craft is still practiced today, shaped entirely by hand. 

China Week at Paris Design Week opens at the China Cultural Center in Paris on September 4 

"It's incredible," remarked Amélie, an art student from the Sorbonne. "I used to think of heritage crafts as museum pieces, but these feel alive. Watching the video of the artisans shaping the clay was like witnessing a piece of performance art." 

A display of Yingjing black pottery at the event 

Building a cultural bridge 

"This is my first real encounter with Ya'an's craftsmanship here in France," said Jean Anguera, a sculptor and member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts. "Our cultures may be different, but our pursuit of beauty is the same. The harmony between humanity and nature in these works finds a deep echo in the humanistic spirit of French culture." 

Anguera noted that the tea ceremony was especially popular with Parisians. "It created a fascinating dialogue between Ya'an's Tibetan tea and French wine culture. When the tea master explained how fermentation and aging create unique flavors, it immediately reminded us of winemaking. Both are quests for flavor, driven by time." 

Exhibits featuring panda motifs on display 

In the interactive zone, visitors were enchanted by the delicate patterns of Tibetan-Qiang embroidery. "My mother and I both adore Chinese embroidery," said Sophie, an 18-year-old student. "I'm moving to China next year to study, and I hope I can visit Ya'an and learn to embroider a little Qiang sunflower for her. Each stitch tells a story, the warmth of something made by hand is irreplaceable." She added, "Though different in skin color, with a needle in hand, we're all tracing the same picture of cultural connection." 

Where tradition meets modernity 

The exhibition also featured a stunning collection of modern designs inspired by ancient crafts: pandas carved into white marble, Tibetan-Qiang motifs adorning chic handbags, and traditional teas paired with French pastries. These innovations proved that heritage can flourish in the modern world. 

"What makes Ya'an's heritage so compelling is that it's both ancient and fully contemporary," observed Pierre Durand, a prominent designer on the Paris Design Week committee. "The artisans aren't just preserving the past; they're innovating while honoring tradition. Those fashion accessories adorned with Qiang embroidery would be right at home on the streets of Paris." 

Xu Tao, a senior official from the Publicity Department of the Ya'an Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, explained, "We wanted to show that our heritage is not stuck in history - it can be part of a modern lifestyle. The reaction here shows that this approach works. People are amazed that Chinese tradition can be so stylish." 

Guests try Ya'an tea 

A universal dialogue on heritage 

In an increasingly globalized world, protecting cultural diversity is a shared priority, as enshrined in UNESCO's 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Ya'an exhibition was more than a mere showcase; it served as a meaningful dialogue between France and China on cultural preservation. 

The Publicity Department of the Ya'an Municipal Committee receives the Best Organization Award for Global Promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage 

"This event is a living example of how cultures are enriched through exchange," said Audrey Joly, strategic partnership manager for Paris Design Week. "Ya'an’s heritage reveals the incredible depth and diversity of Chinese culture. Protecting it is a responsibility we all share." 

Isabelle Dupuy, a professor of cultural anthropology at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences, noted, “The true significance of this exhibition lies in how it demonstrates a profound cultural confidence. It achieves this not through grand narratives, but through the simple, aesthetic moments of everyday life. A pot of tea, a piece of pottery, a work of embroidery - it is the cultural memories carried by these ordinary objects that truly touch the heart.” 

Lessons in global cultural connection 

The enthusiastic reception of Ya'an's heritage in Paris offers valuable lessons for presenting China's traditional culture to the world. First, this heritage must remain authentic; its unique regional character and cultural DNA are the source of its appeal. Second, thoughtful innovation and adaptation allow it to resonate with audiences from different cultural backgrounds. Finally, direct, person-to-person interaction is often the most effective way to share culture. 

"The success of this exhibition exceeded our expectations," said Xu. "Our next step is to continue exploring new ways to protect and revitalize our heritage, so that Ya'an's culture can travel not just to Paris, but to the entire world." 

As the sun set, the Seine shimmered with golden light. Inside the China Cultural Center, the artifacts from Ya'an quietly told the stories of China's southwestern mountains. Visitors from all walks of life paused to admire and connect. Language was no barrier, because beauty is a universal tongue. 

A popular taste: Tianquan caviar, a blend of Ya'an's unique ecology and modern innovation 

As one Parisian visitor remarked in an interview, "Looking at these exquisite crafts, I feel as if I can see the mountains of Ya'an and sense the rhythm of life there. I've never been to Southwest China, but today, I feel a magical connection to its people." 

This connection is the most precious fruit of cultural exchange. As the heritage of Ya'an journeyed to Paris, where Eastern craftsmanship met French romance, another vibrant flower bloomed in the magnificent garden of human civilization.