Tuanshan technique taught in Hechi

The making of Tuanshan, or round fans, was in full swing on July 9 in Yizhou, Hechi, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, as a summer camp kicked off at the local training center for Guangxi folk culture.

Made of bamboo, Tuanshan is a traditional handicraft. Its shape, resembling a full moon, signifies auspicious union and happiness.

More than just a tool to beat the scorching summer heat, Tuanshan was also a symbol of status and taste in ancient China. It was popular during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), commonly hailed as a piece of art.

Huang Shuofu, inheritor of Tuanshan technique dedicated to the skill for more than 30 years, demonstrated the delicacy of the fan-making during the summer camp. His masterpieces were sent to former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon as a gift.

Patience is of the utmost importance when learning to make a round fan. "Be focused and patient. Don't rush it," Huang iterated.

Huang Shuofu, inheritor of Tuanshan technique, teaches senior students how to make a round fan. [Photo by Qian Cheng/ yzdzw.gov.cn]

The training center is home to a total of 173 masters of folk culture, covering the fields of furniture, ceramics, paper-cutting and carving to help promote traditional practices and pass them down from one generation to the next.

Children ardently learn the traditional handicraft. [Photo by Qian Cheng/ yzdzw.gov.cn]

The training center for folk handicrafts opened on March 30, and is now home to 173 masters across different fields. [Photo by Wei Kewen/gxyzdj.gov.cn]