UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritages in China (II) (6)

Traditional handicrafts of making Xuan paper

The item, "Traditional handicrafts of making Xuan paper" was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.

Handmade from the tough bark of the Tara Wing-Celtis or Blue Sandalwood tree and rice straw, Xuan paper is known for its strong, smooth surface, its ability to absorb water and moisten ink, and fold repeatedly without breaking.

It has been widely used in calligraphy, painting and book printing.

The traditional process passed down orally over generations and still followed today proceeds strictly by hand through more than a hundred steps such as steeping, washing, fermenting, bleaching, pulping, sunning and cutting – all of which lasts more than two years.