Traditional crafts find modern place

"The red was vivid yet subtle, with four tonal variations," Cai recalls, adding that the perfect hue was achieved after his team experimented with various dyes.

Cai, who has practiced the art for over two decades, explains that velvet crafting is not limited to birds and flowers, as its name might suggest.

"We create animals, insects, and even landscapes," he says, pointing to his delicate works, including a nine-tailed fox and a panda made from raw silk wrapped around a thin copper wire, amenable to manual manipulation.

"The material is stiff like human hair and softened for floral designs, resulting in a velvety texture that is visually and tactilely stunning," he adds.

However, mastering the art demands patience and resilience.

"Every step, from shaping the silk to assembling the pieces, must be done by hand," he emphasizes.

"The hardest part is enduring the monotony, as twisting copper wires and shaping silk strands can be tedious, but the results are worth it," he says.

More events of this nature will be hosted at the Beijing Intangible Cultural Heritage Center to expand public engagement and explore new avenues for cultural preservation, according to authorities.

"We aim to create more channels for people to experience and appreciate these heritage crafts," Su says.

Fan Yingjie, a senior manager with a Beijing-based travel agency, says he is blown away by the presentation of the cultural heritage displayed at the event.

"Those heritages are important part of Chinese culture," Fan says.

His agency has launched certain travel routes that enable travelers to get close to cultural heritage, and it has received positive reviews.

Lang vividly recalls when he presented two dough figurines of Bing Dwen Dwen, the Olympic mascot, to Albert II, Prince of Monaco, at the Great Hall of the People during the Winter Olympics.

"I gifted him a Bing Dwen Dwen and he humorously requested a second one, explaining that he needed two because he has twins," Lang recalls.

The experience fueled Lang's commitment to keeping this ancient craft alive by infusing it with contemporary relevance.

"Through my work, I hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for this unique art form, proving that even the oldest traditional crafts can find a place in modern culture. After all, intangible cultural heritage is not just about preserving the past — it's about shaping the future," he says.