Zhang Juntao checks a lantern at a lantern museum of Bianjing Lantern Zhang set up by himself in Kaifeng City, central China's Henan Province, Nov. 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)
The delicate traditional Bianjing Lantern and its inheritor.
KAIFENG, Nov. 27, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Juntao is a 48-year-old national-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor for the Bianjing Lantern Zhang, a brand of traditional lantern in Kaifeng of central China's Henan that can be dated back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Zhang Juntao checks the traditional wood carving styles at a lantern museum of Bianjing Lantern Zhang set up by himself in Kaifeng City, central China's Henan Province, Nov. 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Li An)
Zhang Juntao makes lanterns at a lantern museum of Bianjing Lantern Zhang set up by himself in Kaifeng City, central China's Henan Province, Nov. 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Li An)
Since 2001, Zhang has been building a data base for the styles of traditional lanterns in China through materials searching. He set up a museum for lanterns in 2011 in Kaifeng and gives classes for schools and communities on a regular basis.
He hopes that the Bianjing Lantern Zhang can be known and liked by more people and the traditional culture be passed down.
Zhang Juntao makes lanterns at a lantern museum of Bianjing Lantern Zhang set up by himself in Kaifeng City, central China's Henan Province, Nov. 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)
Zhang Juntao makes lanterns at a lantern museum of Bianjing Lantern Zhang set up by himself in Kaifeng City, central China's Henan Province, Nov. 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)
Zhang Juntao makes lanterns at a lantern museum of Bianjing Lantern Zhang set up by himself in Kaifeng City, central China's Henan Province, Nov. 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)
Zhang Juntao makes lanterns at a lantern museum of Bianjing Lantern Zhang set up by himself in Kaifeng City, central China's Henan Province, Nov. 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Li An)
Zhang Juntao makes lanterns with visiting pupils at a lantern museum of Bianjing Lantern Zhang set up by himself in Kaifeng City, central China's Henan Province, Nov. 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Zhang Juntao makes lanterns with visiting pupils at a lantern museum of Bianjing Lantern Zhang set up by himself in Kaifeng City, central China's Henan Province, Nov. 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)■