Liangjiang herbal soap shines at Osaka Expo

Liangjiang herbal soaps on display at the Expo 2025 Osaka. [Photo/WeChat account of Liangjiang New Area]

The "Chongqing Day" event at the Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan showcased the city's rich cultural heritage and featured the debut of Luo's herbal handmade soap.

This event offered a comprehensive narrative of Chongqing, highlighting its cultural richness through city promotions, economic and trade exchanges, intangible cultural heritage displays, and folk culture performances, thereby enhancing international communication and cooperation.

The soap, an intangible cultural heritage item from Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area, traces its origins to the esteemed herbalist Luo Qinbi. Its presentation at the expo marks a significant milestone in introducing this cultural heritage to a global audience.

The handcrafted soaps, infused with the fragrant essence of herbs and plants, captivated international guests. Many visitors engaged with artisans to learn about the traditional soap-making process and the use of botanical extracts, with several choosing to take home these unique pieces of Chongqing's heritage.

"This soap serves as a 'three-in-one' skincare solution, suitable for washing hair, bathing, and facial cleansing," said Yu Zongtao, an inheritor of this heritage.

Luo's soap is crafted using natural plant ingredients, including olive oil, coconut oil, and herbal extracts, and avoids artificial fragrances, colors, and preservatives. "These natural materials are rich in skin-beneficial components, making them safe and particularly suitable for those with sensitive skin," Yu added.

Each bar undergoes a meticulous production process that is adjusted based on changes in weather, temperature, and humidity. The natural saponification process, free from chemical additives, requires a production cycle of 30 to 45 days.