Ukrainian travel blogger Oleksii Lisianskyi recently handcrafted a tile cat, known locally as wamao, as part of an exploration of intangible cultural heritage in Kunming, Yunnan province.
Tile cats are known as roof-ridge guardian beasts, traditionally believed to ward off evil spirits, guard the home, and bring in wealth and treasures, according to Hong Haibo, director of the Kunming Longquan Ancient Town Cultural Research Institute.
After hearing Hong's introduction on the significance of tile cats to the people of Yunnan, Lisianskyi crafted one himself and took great pride in his handiwork. "Experiencing history and culture firsthand hits different," he said. "This is my first time making a tile cat, and I hope it won't be my last."
Lisianskyi explained that he travels to different places to talk with the locals, because they're experts at what makes the area special. "I can show the world the fun things to do in China and the experiences that are worth exploring," he said.
