Young artisans bring new vitality to traditional folk decoration in China's Yunnan-Xinhua

Young artisans bring new vitality to traditional folk decoration in China's Yunnan

新华网

Editor: huaxia

2026-04-30 19:58:16

Su Yue (L) and Pan Xingwei show their works in Xizhou Ancient Town of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province on April 29, 2026.

Su Yue and Pan Xingwei are young artisans specializing in the making of wamao, or "tile cats," under the guidance of Su Yue's father, Su Longxiang. As a representative inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in clay sculpture, Su Longxiang has been crafting tile cats for more than 30 years.

Together with Su Longxiang, Su Yue and Pan Xingwei run a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town. Inspired by the traditional image of the tile cat, they have developed a range of cultural and creative products that incorporate modern elements. They also receive students for educational programs and offer visitors hands-on experiences in making tile cats.

The tile cat is a traditional folk decoration in Yunnan, typically placed on rooftops or lintels. In 2023, it was included in the fifth batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects in Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

Su Yue (L, rear) and her father Su Longxiang demonstrate the production technology of tile cat to tourists in a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province on April 29, 2026.

Su Yue and Pan Xingwei are young artisans specializing in the making of wamao, or "tile cats," under the guidance of Su Yue's father, Su Longxiang. As a representative inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in clay sculpture, Su Longxiang has been crafting tile cats for more than 30 years.

Together with Su Longxiang, Su Yue and Pan Xingwei run a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town. Inspired by the traditional image of the tile cat, they have developed a range of cultural and creative products that incorporate modern elements. They also receive students for educational programs and offer visitors hands-on experiences in making tile cats.

The tile cat is a traditional folk decoration in Yunnan, typically placed on rooftops or lintels. In 2023, it was included in the fifth batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects in Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

Su Yue demonstrates the production technology of tile cat to tourists in a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province on April 29, 2026.

Su Yue and Pan Xingwei are young artisans specializing in the making of wamao, or "tile cats," under the guidance of Su Yue's father, Su Longxiang. As a representative inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in clay sculpture, Su Longxiang has been crafting tile cats for more than 30 years.

Together with Su Longxiang, Su Yue and Pan Xingwei run a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town. Inspired by the traditional image of the tile cat, they have developed a range of cultural and creative products that incorporate modern elements. They also receive students for educational programs and offer visitors hands-on experiences in making tile cats.

The tile cat is a traditional folk decoration in Yunnan, typically placed on rooftops or lintels. In 2023, it was included in the fifth batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects in Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

This photo shows a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province on April 29, 2026.

Su Yue and Pan Xingwei are young artisans specializing in the making of wamao, or "tile cats," under the guidance of Su Yue's father, Su Longxiang. As a representative inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in clay sculpture, Su Longxiang has been crafting tile cats for more than 30 years.

Together with Su Longxiang, Su Yue and Pan Xingwei run a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town. Inspired by the traditional image of the tile cat, they have developed a range of cultural and creative products that incorporate modern elements. They also receive students for educational programs and offer visitors hands-on experiences in making tile cats.

The tile cat is a traditional folk decoration in Yunnan, typically placed on rooftops or lintels. In 2023, it was included in the fifth batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects in Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

A tourist visits a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province on April 29, 2026.

Su Yue and Pan Xingwei are young artisans specializing in the making of wamao, or "tile cats," under the guidance of Su Yue's father, Su Longxiang. As a representative inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in clay sculpture, Su Longxiang has been crafting tile cats for more than 30 years.

Together with Su Longxiang, Su Yue and Pan Xingwei run a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town. Inspired by the traditional image of the tile cat, they have developed a range of cultural and creative products that incorporate modern elements. They also receive students for educational programs and offer visitors hands-on experiences in making tile cats.

The tile cat is a traditional folk decoration in Yunnan, typically placed on rooftops or lintels. In 2023, it was included in the fifth batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects in Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

Su Yue demonstrates the production technology of tile cat to tourists in a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province on April 29, 2026.

Su Yue and Pan Xingwei are young artisans specializing in the making of wamao, or "tile cats," under the guidance of Su Yue's father, Su Longxiang. As a representative inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in clay sculpture, Su Longxiang has been crafting tile cats for more than 30 years.

Together with Su Longxiang, Su Yue and Pan Xingwei run a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town. Inspired by the traditional image of the tile cat, they have developed a range of cultural and creative products that incorporate modern elements. They also receive students for educational programs and offer visitors hands-on experiences in making tile cats.

The tile cat is a traditional folk decoration in Yunnan, typically placed on rooftops or lintels. In 2023, it was included in the fifth batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects in Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

Pan Xingwei demonstrates the production technology of tile cat to tourists in a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province on April 29, 2026.

Su Yue and Pan Xingwei are young artisans specializing in the making of wamao, or "tile cats," under the guidance of Su Yue's father, Su Longxiang. As a representative inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in clay sculpture, Su Longxiang has been crafting tile cats for more than 30 years.

Together with Su Longxiang, Su Yue and Pan Xingwei run a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town. Inspired by the traditional image of the tile cat, they have developed a range of cultural and creative products that incorporate modern elements. They also receive students for educational programs and offer visitors hands-on experiences in making tile cats.

The tile cat is a traditional folk decoration in Yunnan, typically placed on rooftops or lintels. In 2023, it was included in the fifth batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects in Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

This photo shows furnishings at a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province on April 29, 2026.

Su Yue and Pan Xingwei are young artisans specializing in the making of wamao, or "tile cats," under the guidance of Su Yue's father, Su Longxiang. As a representative inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in clay sculpture, Su Longxiang has been crafting tile cats for more than 30 years.

Together with Su Longxiang, Su Yue and Pan Xingwei run a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town. Inspired by the traditional image of the tile cat, they have developed a range of cultural and creative products that incorporate modern elements. They also receive students for educational programs and offer visitors hands-on experiences in making tile cats.

The tile cat is a traditional folk decoration in Yunnan, typically placed on rooftops or lintels. In 2023, it was included in the fifth batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects in Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

Tourists experience tile cat making in a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province on April 29, 2026.

Su Yue and Pan Xingwei are young artisans specializing in the making of wamao, or "tile cats," under the guidance of Su Yue's father, Su Longxiang. As a representative inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in clay sculpture, Su Longxiang has been crafting tile cats for more than 30 years.

Together with Su Longxiang, Su Yue and Pan Xingwei run a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town. Inspired by the traditional image of the tile cat, they have developed a range of cultural and creative products that incorporate modern elements. They also receive students for educational programs and offer visitors hands-on experiences in making tile cats.

The tile cat is a traditional folk decoration in Yunnan, typically placed on rooftops or lintels. In 2023, it was included in the fifth batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects in Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

Su Yue (L) and Pan Xingwei visit the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture Museum in Dali, southwest China's Yunnan Province on April 30, 2026.

Su Yue and Pan Xingwei are young artisans specializing in the making of wamao, or "tile cats," under the guidance of Su Yue's father, Su Longxiang. As a representative inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in clay sculpture, Su Longxiang has been crafting tile cats for more than 30 years.

Together with Su Longxiang, Su Yue and Pan Xingwei run a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town. Inspired by the traditional image of the tile cat, they have developed a range of cultural and creative products that incorporate modern elements. They also receive students for educational programs and offer visitors hands-on experiences in making tile cats.

The tile cat is a traditional folk decoration in Yunnan, typically placed on rooftops or lintels. In 2023, it was included in the fifth batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects in Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

Tourists experience tile cat making in a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province on April 29, 2026.

Su Yue and Pan Xingwei are young artisans specializing in the making of wamao, or "tile cats," under the guidance of Su Yue's father, Su Longxiang. As a representative inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in clay sculpture, Su Longxiang has been crafting tile cats for more than 30 years.

Together with Su Longxiang, Su Yue and Pan Xingwei run a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town. Inspired by the traditional image of the tile cat, they have developed a range of cultural and creative products that incorporate modern elements. They also receive students for educational programs and offer visitors hands-on experiences in making tile cats.

The tile cat is a traditional folk decoration in Yunnan, typically placed on rooftops or lintels. In 2023, it was included in the fifth batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects in Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

Su Yue (L) and Pan Xingwei visit the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture Museum in Dali, southwest China's Yunnan Province on April 30, 2026.

Su Yue and Pan Xingwei are young artisans specializing in the making of wamao, or "tile cats," under the guidance of Su Yue's father, Su Longxiang. As a representative inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in clay sculpture, Su Longxiang has been crafting tile cats for more than 30 years.

Together with Su Longxiang, Su Yue and Pan Xingwei run a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town. Inspired by the traditional image of the tile cat, they have developed a range of cultural and creative products that incorporate modern elements. They also receive students for educational programs and offer visitors hands-on experiences in making tile cats.

The tile cat is a traditional folk decoration in Yunnan, typically placed on rooftops or lintels. In 2023, it was included in the fifth batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects in Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

This photo shows furnishings of a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province on April 29, 2026.

Su Yue and Pan Xingwei are young artisans specializing in the making of wamao, or "tile cats," under the guidance of Su Yue's father, Su Longxiang. As a representative inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in clay sculpture, Su Longxiang has been crafting tile cats for more than 30 years.

Together with Su Longxiang, Su Yue and Pan Xingwei run a tile cat courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town. Inspired by the traditional image of the tile cat, they have developed a range of cultural and creative products that incorporate modern elements. They also receive students for educational programs and offer visitors hands-on experiences in making tile cats.

The tile cat is a traditional folk decoration in Yunnan, typically placed on rooftops or lintels. In 2023, it was included in the fifth batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects in Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)