Originating during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Guangyuan baihua stone carving is known as one of the "four famous carving arts" in China, and was inscribed on the second national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008.

Inspired by its natural hues, artisans designed carvings that embraced the stone's inherent beauty, giving birth to the distinctive Baihua stone carving style.

A classic work of baihua stone carving [Photo provided to cngy.gov.cn]

Since 1978, select masterpieces have been exhibited in Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, and the United States, while some were presented as gifts to foreign leaders by Premier Zhou Enlai.

The creation of a Baihua stone carving involves a meticulous, multi-step process, from material selection and rough shaping to conceptualization, preliminary carving, and final refinement.

Artisans must venture into the mountains to collect stones. Baihua stone is scattered across the terrain, making extraction a painstaking task. Despite gathering nearly ten thousand kilograms of stone annually, only a few hundred kilograms prove suitable for carving, limiting large-scale production.

Tea canister of baihua stone carving [Photo provided to cngy.gov.cn]

"Baihua stone carving must evolve with the times to remain relevant," says Tang Jun, a fifth-generation inheritor of the art form. "We must create what people love and need."

Traditionally, Baihua stone carving was fashioned into brush pots and inkstones, but Tang observed a decline in their practical use. He introduced new product lines such as decorative ornaments, teapots, tea sets, tea pets, and pendants, ensuring the craft continues to resonate with modern consumers.

Guangyuan, a city in Sichuan province with a profound history of stone carving, has preserved its rich artistic heritage from the Northern Wei (386-534) to Tang (618-907) dynasties. Over centuries, numerous grotto carvings and cliffside statues emerged, with the iconic Thousand Buddha Cliff and Huangze Temple standing as testaments to this enduring tradition.