An ink stone on display. [Photo byJiang Dong/China Daily]

"The ancient pieces should be protected and passed on to future generations," says Kuai, adding that he is glad that the government is very supportive of heritage protection.

According to him, there are now more young people willing to learn the craft, as there is greater need for such work with Huizhou-style architecture in the ancient villages of Xidi and Hongcun, which were listed as world intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2000.

According to Shan Jixiang, curator of the Palace Museum, the show is being held to showcase intangible cultural heritage and the beauty of ancient Huizhou crafts.

In November 2016, the Palace Museum set up a pilot work station in Huangshan city to study and promote the region's traditional crafts.

If you go

8:30 am-5 pm, until May 31. Yongshou Palace in the Palace Museum, 4 Jingshan Qianjie, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 8511-7575.