Jinyun village turns papermaking craft into cultural wealth

In the bamboo-rich Yuchuan village in Jinyun county of Lishui, Zhejiang province, a 500-square-meter museum — the Yucang Traditional Papermaking Museum — stands to preserve a fading craft.

According to Wang Junfeng, Party secretary of the village, the efficiency of their handmade paper production could not match mechanized processes, leading to successive closures of local paper mills after the reform and opening-up.

However, the papermaking culture remained deeply rooted in the community.

The village's papermaking tradition dates back to the late Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), with ancestors utilizing local bamboo resources to produce paper for printing and writing. By the mid-Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), 18 paper workshops operated in the village.

Traditional papermaking equipment. [Photo/Tide News]

This ancient technique, originating from one of the four great inventions of ancient China, was continuously refined through generations. The resulting bamboo paper became known for its soft texture, ability to prevent ink bleeding, and mothproof quality.

Villagers developed smart business operations, transporting paper by land and water to markets across China, with stores in Suzhou and Fuyang flourishing under established brand names.

Through supportive policies, the village has planned to revive the ancient technique. Their vision materialized within a year when a former paper mill became the current museum, featuring papermaking displays and student research and study activities.

The research and study area is on the second floor of the Yucang Traditional Papermaking Museum in Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

Although not yet fully open, the museum plans to hire professional guides, revive the papermaking brand, develop cultural products, and attract more tourists to increase village income.