The folk art of paper carving has its origins in the town of Yueqing located on the southern coast of Zhejiang. It has traditionally been a popular activity and prospering business within Yueqing. Today, there are still many who continue on the legacy of this elegant folk craft.

Paper carving is simply another form of paper cutting. It involves using a small engraving knife to cut detailed patterns on sheets of thin and slender paper. The knife is usually no more than 0.35 millimetres thick. This method of paper cutting allows more cuts to be produced at one time. Many paper carvings are done by freehand and can feature up to one hundred and fifty holes per square centermetre.

Paper carvings were used during the Lantern Festival during Chinese New Year to decorate village windows and walls starting in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Also originating in the Song Dynasty was the tradition of decorating Dragon boats during the Dragon Boat Festival held on the fifth day of the fifth month each year. Paper cuttings were used on lanterns to decorate the boats. During the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the skills and techniques of paper carving drastically improved becoming a much loved folk art. The paper cut art became extremely popular during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) Dynasties with many household doors and windows covered in paper carvings.

Unfortunately, paper carving is not as popular in Yueqing as in past times. Although community initiatives and government support are currently working to preserve and protect this important folk art from extinction.

In the 1950’s, local folk paper cut craftsmen created the “Paper Cut Production Group”, which produced an assortment of handicrafts including paper carvings. These artworks are often shown in exhibitions throughout China and the world.

Yueqing paper carving has been recognized both nationally and abroad. A famous Yueqing paper cut artist, Li Bangdong, was recommended as an international paper cut master to UNESCO in 2001 and was awarded the honorary title of one of the ten greatest paper cut masters in China. Yueqing paper carving was also among the first Chinese arts and crafts to apply for listing in UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage 2006.

The beauty and delicacy of Yueqing paper cut art is one of many reasons to encourage the current generation to learn the skills of their ancestors and carry on this elegant tradition.