Zhangjiagang residents, the inheritors of China's intangible cultural heritage, designed various dog-shaped paper-cuttings to welcome New Year on Jan 9.

Chinese paper-cutting, one of the oldest handicrafts in China, often emphasizes on Chinese characters symbolizing the Chinese zodiac animals. It also varies from animals and plants to the vivid scenes of our everyday lives. 2018 marks the year of the dog in the Chinese zodiac.

Included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, Chinese paper-cutting remains popular in contemporary China, especially during special events such as the Chinese New Year or weddings.

Zhangjiagang residents, the inheritors of China’s intangible cultural heritage, designed various dog-shaped paper-cuttings to welcome New Year on Jan 9. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]