Zhou Qiangyi, a 75-year-old inheritor of gourd carving and pyrography in Laixi, a county-level city in Qingdao, Shandong province, has been working to promote the development and inheritance of the traditional art. He has carried out courses at local schools to help the younger generation learn more about this local handicraft.

Gourd art, which can take many forms including carving, painting and pyrography, is one of the traditional crafts in China and also an intangible cultural heritage item.

Since ancient times, gourds have been liked by Chinese people. In ancient myths, gourds signified immortality and long life, while in daily life, gourds can be used as containers for liquid - such as liquor or various decoctions - or something auspicious that will bring good luck.

Zhou Qiangyi, a 75-year-old inheritor of gourd carving and pyrography in Laixi, works at his workshop. [Photo by Zhang Jingang/Guanhai News]

Zhou Qiangyi works on a gourd pyrography work. [Photo by Zhang Jingang/Guanhai News]

Zhou Qiangyi introduces gourd art to kids at his workshop in Laixi, Shandong province. [Photo by Zhang Jingang/Guanhai News]