Carpenter's shop a showcase of local history

3－inch shoes for women.

He led a group of carpenters to make old-fashioned doors, windows, plaques and couplets carved on wooden boards.

After retiring, he began to learn wood carving beyond fixing old furniture.

Although Yang did not continue his studies after primary school, he tried to learn history and the stories behind the furniture and different carving styles. He can tell you the historical period when the furniture was made and its detailed characteristics.

Leather luggage was typically made before the People's Republic of China. Camphorwood luggage was popular during 1970s and 1980s. And so on.

The traditional furniture in Wuzhen was Suzhou-style, Yang says－exquisite and sometimes inlaid with ivory or ox bone.

He points at a tiny pair of women's shoes.

After Sun Yat-sen overthrew the Qing empire in 1911, women no longer had to bind their feet, but their feet could not grow to normal size any more. So these shoes are another witness to history, Yang says.

He welcomes young people to visit and view his collection to learn about Wuzhen's past.

"When I get older, I will give these things to museums. People need to know history, so that they will know how we came to today."