At China's first-ever UNESCO session on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage held in Chengdu last year, an official in attendance praised the host city and its "passion for preservation of endangered art".

Strolling along streets of the famed cultural and historic city today, visitors find its folk customs, arts, songs, operas, dance and cuisine are still very much alive.

Splendid Sichuan silk embroidery, delicate bamboo weaving and powerful Zhe Ge crossbows are all on sale along Jinli, an ancient street on the east of Wuhou Shrine, where one can still envision the prosperous market during its beginning in the Three Kingdoms (220-280) period.