Farmer keeps art of bamboo balancing alive

On the wide, misty Xin'an River surrounded by lush green mountains, Fang Shuyun balances in the water on a bamboo pole. Wrapped in a rain cape and wearing a straw hat, he resembles a mysterious figure from a martial arts novel.

Fang, 54, is an ordinary farmer in Jiande, Zhejiang province, who does various temporary jobs to make a living.

But in his spare time he likes to practice the art of balancing on bamboo in water, a hobby he has enjoyed for almost 40 years.