Piecing together a tribute to traditions

In recent years, digital technology and social media have given practitioners of intangible cultural heritage a wider reach. Online platforms allow people to see traditional crafts, learn techniques and purchase products from home.

At Zhou Chengjie's Cantonese porcelain shop in Yongqing Fang, traditional craftsmanship meets modern technology. Zhou views his studio as a space for connecting with younger generations.

He makes items like magnets and postcards that blend classic designs with cartoon elements, all using iPad software.

"Moving to Yongqing Fang, I started experimenting with iPad software to sketch my designs," Zhou says. "It was a challenge at first. Technology allows us to express traditional culture in new ways, revealing its true charm."

Zhou has also responded to the popularity of stamp collecting among younger visitors by designing a series of stamps that feature Cantonese porcelain motifs alongside Guangzhou landmarks and intangible heritage, drawing crowds eager to take photos.

A passionate collector of classical Cantonese porcelain patterns, Zhou has digitalized the designs, preserving them for future generations.

In addition to embracing technology, he shares his work on short-video platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu. "I post my favorite pieces there," he says. "Using digital tools helps give traditional culture a contemporary voice."

Since relocating to Yongqing Fang, Zhou's workload has increased significantly, with students regularly visiting his studio to experience the art firsthand.

"Yongqing Fang has become a gathering place for heritage practitioners," he says. "It's a place for exchanging ideas and bringing intangible cultural heritage into the present."