The Keepers of
Living Culture

Li Xiangting is one of China's most renowned guqin masters and a professor at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. A student of the legendary

Mei Lanfang was the most famous Peking Opera performer of the 20th century, renowned for his female lead (dan) roles. He revolutionized Peking Opera b

Zhou Jinsong is a master weaver of Nanjing Yunjin brocade, working at the Nanjing Yunjin Research Institute. He began his apprenticeship at age 18 and

Chen Wangting was a 17th-century Ming Dynasty military officer from Chenjiagou, Henan Province, credited as the founder of Taijiquan. Drawing from his

Zhang Jun is a contemporary Kunqu Opera master and one of its most innovative ambassadors. A student of the legendary Kunqu artist Cai Zhengren, Zhang

Xu Chaoyun is a master celadon artisan from Longquan, Zhejiang Province. He spent decades researching and reviving the ancient "plum green" and "powde

Wen Shizhen is a senior practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbal pharmacology in Beijing. A descendant of a lineage of TCM doctors span

Yu Shui is a master kite maker from Weifang, Shandong Province — the "Kite Capital of the World." Born into a kite-making family, he has preserved tra

Ji Yun is a paper-cut artist from Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, renowned for her delicate "needle-pierced" paper-cut style. Unlike the bold cuts of nort

Zhu Chenhao is a master of Chinese seal engraving (zhuanke) from Shanghai. He studied the ancient script styles of oracle bone, bronze, and seal scrip

Sangzhub is one of the most renowned Gesar epic storytellers (sgrung-mkhan) from the Tibetan Plateau. She began chanting the Epic of King Gesar as a c

Wu Yuzhen is a master of the Dong Grand Song (kam luh) from Zhaoxing Village in Guizhou Province. She began singing in the village choir at age 8 and

Zhang Yu is a master calligrapher and seal engraver from Beijing, recognized for his mastery of all five script styles. A professor at the China Acade

Jin Xiuping is a master thangka painter from the Regong (Tongren) region of Qinghai Province. Learning from her father at age 12, she spent over 40 ye

Li Jincheng is a master of Jingdezhen blue-and-white porcelain from Jiangxi Province. Apprenticed at age 14, he specializes in painting cobalt oxide d

Wang Zhigang is a master of Dongyang wood carving from Zhejiang Province. Born into a family of carvers, he specializes in openwork carving and multi-

Chen Guoliang is a master of traditional bone setting (zhenggu) from Beijing. A fourth-generation practitioner, he has treated over 100,000 patients u

Zhang Fang is a master of Chinese New Year woodblock print making (nianhua) from Yangliuqing, Tianjin. A fifth-generation print artist, she carves pea

Baatarchuluun is a master of Mongolian Khoomei throat singing from the Xilingol Grassland of Inner Mongolia. Learning from elder herders in his youth,

Yang Liping is China's most famous Dai Peacock Dance performer, who rose to national prominence with her iconic "Spirit of the Peacock" performance. B

Han Zaiqiang is a renowned Yue Opera master from Zhejiang, celebrated for her female sheng (male role) performances in classics like "The Butterfly Lo

Chang Xiangyu was the most famous Henan Opera (Yuju) performer of the 20th century, known for her explosive vocal power and passionate acting style. S

Ma Lan is a celebrated Huangmei Opera performer from Anhui Province, recognized for her sweet, clear voice and natural acting style. She has performed

Li Zhi is a master of Kuaiban (clapper talk) from Beijing, renowned for his extraordinary tongue speed and satirical wit. A protégé of the Kuaiban tra

Yu Chengjun is a Sanda coach and master from Beijing who has trained multiple national champions in Chinese kickboxing. A former national Sanda champi

Wang Ju is a TCM diagnostics specialist from Beijing, renowned for her expertise in pulse diagnosis and tongue examination. A chief physician at the C