Chinese food's Intangible Cultural Heritage bids

Previous attempts

China has tried several times since 2008 to get Chinese food listed as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. However, no attempt has succeeded so far.

Chefs cook in the kitchen. [File photo: thepaper.cn]

2011

'Traditional Chinese cooking skills' was selected as a candidate for the Intangible Cultural Heritage status, but failed to get approval from the Ministry of Culture.

Famous dishes of the "Eight Cuisines". (Top: from left to right) Shandong, Sichuan, Fujian and Cantonese cuisines. (Bottom: from left to right) Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hunan and Anhui cuisines. [File photo: Baidu]

2015

China chose to apply again with famous dishes from the "Eight Cuisines" but failed. The eight regional cuisines are Anhui, Cantonese, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Sichuan, and Zhejiang cuisines.

The family cuisine of ancient philosopher Confucius [Photo: chinadaily.com.cn]

2016

East China's Qufu city, hometown of ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, tried to make a bid for the 'family cuisine of Confucius' to be listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage item.