Go Deep in Lijiang: He presents life through woodcarving

He Jinping. (Photo by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Center of Lijiang Ancient City)

At a shop in northwest Yunnan’s Lijiang Old Town, He Jinping is carving wood logs with a knife. He is a 45-year-old local man. Falling in love with wood carving in his boyhood, he has been doing this for 30 years.

He has participated in numerous woodcarving exhibitions both domestically and internationally, receiving accolades for his works. His sculptures have been collected by woodcarving enthusiasts, by university museums, and even by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

"I have always followed my heart and tried to create. I am grateful for the support from people who have accompanied me on my artistic journey, which has led me to where I am today," said He, summing up his 20 plus years of woodcarving experience.

The woodcarving art space of He. (Photo by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Center of Lijiang Ancient City)

In the past, He had thought about leaving Lijiang for a quiet place to focus on his creations. However, he later discovered that the profound cultural heritage of the ancient city was the very source of inspiration for his art. "I moved from place to place, but my shop has never been relocated."

He's woodcarving shop is located near the famous Guangyi Street beside Sifang Street in the old town. Over the past 20 years, the shop hasn’t changed in its appearance, maintaining the simplicity and charm of the old residential buildings.

He's woodcarving piece. (Photo by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Center of Lijiang Ancient City)

Less than 10 square meters in size, the shop stands as a corner of cultural and artistic significance on Guangyi Street. Stepping into He’s woodcarving "art space" located in Yulong county, one will find hundreds of woodcarving pieces of various sizes, resembling a miniature private museum.

"I remember a 10-year-old child who bought a fish with his New Year's money. For a child, 4,000 yuan is a big sum, but he insisted on purchasing it. I could sense that this child appreciated the artistic value in the work," he said with a smile.
Source: Intangible Cultural Heritage Center of Lijiang Ancient City; trans-editing by Wang Yunya