In the quiet corners of Zhejiang’s Genyuan Town, discarded tree roots are getting a second life—as jaw-dropping works of art. 🪚 For generations, local artisans have perfected the craft of root carving, turning gnarled, forgotten wood into intricate sculptures that blend nature’s chaos with human creativity. Think of it as ‘upcycling’ before it was cool.
🔍 The secret? Seeing potential where others see firewood. Masters here study each root’s twists and knots, imagining dragons, landscapes, or abstract forms hidden within. One carver told CGTN, ‘It’s like collaborating with nature—we just reveal what’s already there.’
🌱 What started as a village tradition has bloomed into a cultural powerhouse. Today, Genyuan is China’s root carving epicenter, attracting young artists and preserving techniques passed down through dynasties. The town’s workshops now supply museums and collectors worldwide, proving that sustainability and art can grow from the same soil.
🎥 Catch CGTN’s Melody Zhang as she digs into this earthy art form—where every sculpture tells a story of patience, vision, and a little magic. ✨
