Where there are Chinese there are always lion dance costumes

As a fifth-generation lion dance costume maker, Zhong Jiachao, 64, has been through the many ups and downs of the business.

"Our industry is closely related to the economy and government policies," says Zhong. "I've been through the hard times, during the war and revolution. But now, the quality of life generally has improved. There are so many festivals, celebrations and sports events, which need our products. It's the best time of my career."

Zhong's family is one of the best-known lion dance costume makers in Guangdong's provincial capital Guangzhou. They delivered more than 1,800 sets of lion, dragon, qilin and pixiu costumes last year. Both qilin, a mythical Chinese animal much like a unicorn; and pixiu, a Chinese mythical hybrid creature of dragon, dog and lion; are also auspicious creatures in Chinese culture.