The maker of miniature worlds

This history gave rise to several regional schools of bamboo carving, each with its own distinctive character, ranging from deeply layered reliefs and shallow elegant carvings, to precise calligraphy and delicate openwork.

The traditions illustrate the remarkable versatility of bamboo as a medium, from simple incised lines to breathtaking three-dimensional sculptures that seem to defy the material's natural limitations, Guo explains.

Among them, the Hakka bamboo carving practiced in Zhanggong district stands out as particularly vibrant.

Recognized in 2010 as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in Jiangxi, it formed as local artisans employed an approach that blends traditional calligraphic carving with creative improvisation.