The agarwood production skills of the Sun family are recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Shinan district. [Photo/WeChat account: Shinanly]

The agarwood production skills of the Sun family are included in the 2020 intangible cultural heritage list of Shinan district, Qingdao.

Named "the diamond of wood", agarwood is of high value for healthcare and collection.

Sun Shengwu, the ancestor of the Sun family, was a Gongshi (a person who passed the academy examination in ancient China) in the period of Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). He had a soft spot for agarwood culture and developed various spice formulations.

The formulations were compiled into a book named Sun's Spice Manual. The manual explains the selection of agarwood raw materials, the characteristics of various raw materials and the compatibility of different fragrances, and was of great significance to the enhancement of agarwood production technique in the modern period of China.

Sun's agarwood has the effects of relieving pain and inflammation. It can also refresh people and help them sleep.