Traditional folk art showcased at Beijing International Book Fair

A dragon made of straw is shown at the book fair. [Photo by Zhang Xingjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

Straw Making

Take a careful look at these insects. Do you hear the chirping of crickets or cicadas?

Believe it or not, all these insects are made out of palm fronds, reeds and other similar materials.

Straw making is an old folk art form of the Manchu nationality that was handed down from generation to generation.

Yu Yong, descendant of Aisin Gioro, is the person who creates them. He learned the skill from his masters. In today's China, few people can master the skill very well.

"My father has devoted himself to straw making for more than 70 years. Old as my father he is, he is still skilled at straw making. My father made a documentary for himself and the art at the age of 65," Yu said.

"My father hopes to pass the art from generation to generation and I am the third-generation successor of the art. I have taken some people already as my apprentices to promote the art," said Yu.