An online media group visited Tangdu Lacquer Art Industrial Park in Pingyao, Shanxi province on Sept 19, to acquaint themselves with the ancient culture and delicate techniques.

Pingyao polished lacquerware originated in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) and won great popularity during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). The craft was included on the list of national intangible cultural heritages in 2006.

With a complex process - preparing the wood, adding an ash base, lacquering, painting, and doing the inlay, every exquisite piece of the lacquerware is the results of hard work by five, six, or sometimes even a dozen craftsmen.

A man paints lotuses on a piece of Pingyao's polished lacquer. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

A piece of Pingyao's polished lacquer ware with dragon patterns [Photo/xinhuanet.com]