Piecing together a tribute to traditions

In Yongqing Fang, this vision is taking shape. The heritage studios are deepening ties with nearby schools and communities, offering lessons and live demonstrations and inviting students and residents to experience the craft firsthand.

Tan Guanghui, a 63-year-old national inheritor of Cantonese porcelain, or guangcai, is known as a guardian of one of Guangzhou's most cherished traditions. His studio, among the first to open in Yongqing Fang, showcases four decades of dedication to a craft that has captivated connoisseurs for centuries.

Dating back about 300 years, guangcai blends Chinese and European porcelain techniques to produce dazzling designs distinguished by their intricate patterns and gilded details. "Owning guangcai was once a mark of prestige among European aristocracy," Tan says, noting that customer orders were common as far back as the time of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Pieces commissioned by European nobles that bore family crests became treasured heirlooms.

In 2018, when President Xi Jinping visited Yongqing Fang, Tan showed him guangcai alongside other local heritage arts. The encounter, Tan says, solidified his commitment to preserving the craft.

For Tan, the path to preservation lies in engaging young people. He has introduced guangcai workshops to 20 schools, including the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, and launched an apprenticeship program at the Guangzhou Light Industry Vocational School. "If we want guangcai to thrive, we must first make young people love it," he says.

His studio, nestled in the bustling streets of Yongqing Fang, serves as both a gallery and a classroom where visitors can view his intricate designs, as well as those of his students. "Yongqing Fang's growing popularity has brought more visitors to my shop," he says. "Many are drawn to the beauty of guangcai with overwhelming response."