Dragons and lions provide link to the past

Editor's Note: Using a blend of words and visuals, this series explores unique communities and reveals the heart of China through food, architecture, craftsmanship, landscapes and traditions.

Behind dragon and lion making techniques

Shuangfeng, a township in Taicang of Suzhou in East China's Jiangsu province, is the renowned hometown of the Chinese folk art for crafting festive dragons and lions.

The history of dragon and lion crafting and performances in Shuangfeng can be traced back to the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). To escape wars and famine, migrants from the provinces of Henan and Anhui and other regions settled in Shuangfeng, where they brought with them their ancestral traditions of dragon and lion dances and craftsmanship.

Gu Haoqiang, the inheritor of Shuangfeng Xinhu Dragon and Lion Craftsmanship, an intangible cultural heritage in Taicang, has been involved in the craft since his youth. His dedication and expertise have been instrumental in preserving and promoting this traditional craft.

Inspired by his father Gu Huixian, a dedicated artisan in traditional bamboo craftsmanship, Gu Haoqiang embarked on his journey in 2003 to master the art of making performance dragons and lions, learning with Qiu Guoliang, a master of the intangible cultural heritage.

Through relentless practice, Gu Haoqiang himself mastered over a hundred intricate steps, including designing, cutting, sewing, gluing, pasting, assembling and finishing.

He braved loneliness and hardships, honing his skills with determination. Occasionally, Gu Haoqiang and his colleagues had to work day and night to ensure a project was completed meticulously and on schedule.

In 2012, he was involved in a project to craft a 5.57-kilometer-long dragon, setting a Guinness World Record for the longest dragon of its kind.

Gu Haoqiang's skills have seen tremendous growth over two decades, thanks to the guidance of his father and teachers, and his relentless efforts.

Today, he is pioneering design innovations and mentoring apprentices to promote and improve the traditional craftsmanship.

Thanks to innovations over several generations, Shuangfeng's dragon and lion products have seamlessly merged traditional techniques with cutting-edge materials and contemporary aesthetics.

This updated process not only makes these items lighter and shortens production time but also enhances portability, all while preserving the vibrant artistry that defines them.

These creations have gained nationwide popularity and are even exported to countries such as the United States, France, Canada and many others.