Yiwu: A commodity hub rich in cultural heritage

7. Intangible Cultural Heritage: Wood Carving

While Dongyang wood carving is renowned worldwide, few are aware that Yiwu wood carving is also highly regarded.

Wan Shaojun, born in 1972, is a chief technician in Zhejiang province and the first provincial-level craft art master in Yiwu. He is also a representative inheritor of Yiwu wood carving techniques, recognized as intangible cultural heritage in both Yiwu and Jinhua. Wan has won over 40 gold medals in provincial and municipal-level competitions.

After decades of dedicated research, Wan has innovatively blended techniques from Wenzhou round carving, Dongyang relief carving, and Fujian hollow carving. His work is known for its lifelike, detailed, and expressive wood carvings.

Wan has worked tirelessly to preserve Yiwu's traditional woodcarving, hoping to keep the craft vibrant in modern society. As he says, "I believe 70 percent of my work is about inheriting the traditions of our ancestors, while the rest reflects modern ideals and styles."