A set of pure handmade offering-bronze-bowls takes Li two days to finish, and the price for it is 480 yuan.

He was taught under that rule, but it is not followed these days.

Many apprentices do not have the patience, and the learning period has been reduced from three years to two.

"The shortened learning period is a major cause of the deterioration in the quality of silver goods," he said, adding that quality is the soul of the craft.

Li has four apprentices who come from Qinghai province. He said Tibetan people are reluctant to learn the skill because they have traditionally discriminated against trades such as blacksmith and silversmith, and yet it is highly regarded in Bai culture.

According to a Bai saying, "A craftsman will not starve to death even if a drought lasts three years."

"I was discriminated against when I first arrived in Tibet in 2004, but now the situation has changed," Li said with a smile.

He takes his work seriously and has to be completely satisfied with every piece.

Gyatso, a neighbor of Li's, said, "The quality of his work has gained popularity among locals in Lhasa."

Li has also gained the trust of customers with his honest approach to business. Once, when a customer paid him an extra 400 yuan ($65) by mistake, Li called the man and returned his money right away. The man was touched by Li's honesty, and the two men have since become good friends.