Against the backdrop of Tianjin gearing up as the host city for the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, a centuries-old art form is finding new enthusiasts.
Pakistani researcher Zoon Ahmed Khan traveled to Tianjin to immerse herself in the world of Yangliuqing Woodblock New Year Prints. Under the expert guidance of inheritor Xi Wang, Zoon stepped into a studio filled with carved wooden blocks and vibrant pigments.
With her hands in ink for the first time, she learned the delicate process of transferring bold patterns onto paper. The result? Her very first woodblock print, titled Journey to the West, marking a memorable first step into this historic craft.
What began as a casual cultural exchange turned into a creative voyage, proving that a beginner’s curiosity can unlock age-old traditions in fresh ways. Whether you’re a traveler, a digital nomad, or simply a lover of global crafts, Yangliuqing offers a hands-on window into Tianjin’s living heritage.
Ready to carve your own story? Next time you visit Tianjin, join a workshop and see where your journey takes you.
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Experiencing Tianjin's woodblock tradition with a friend from Pakistan
cgtn.com
