Beijing's Capital Museum is hosting a free exhibition highlighting intangible cultural heritage along the Grand Canal, running from Beijing in the north to Hangzhou in the east.

Open from Feb 17 to Mar 8, The Leisurely Charm of Grand Canal - 2008 "BMW China Culture Journey" Achievement Exhibition is jointly supported by BMW China, BMW Brilliance, the Protection Center of Intangible Cultural Heritage of China and the Chinese National Academy of Arts

The exhibition showcases the precious cultural heritage collected along the journey in Tianjin, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui in various forms such as photos, videos and on-site exhibits.

In addition to the exhibits, a number of craftsmen from along the route of the canal will give demonstrations of skills handed down from generation to generation.

Following the exhibition, a charity auction for BMW car owners will be held. The proceeds from this will be donated to the China Charity Federation BMW Warm-Heart Fund to support intangible cultural heritage protection in the earthquake-hit areas.

"Cultural heritage is a rich asset for both individuals and society, especially in China, a country with thousands of years of heritage. This is why BMW will continuously make efforts to facilitate cultural promotion and its sustainable development," said Christoph Stark, president & CEO of BMW Group Region China.

(China Daily 03/02/2009 page10)