Shandong artisan's nuclear carvings amaze locals

In the Hedong district of Linyi city – located in East China's Shandong province – a 34-year-old artisan is making headlines for breathing new life into the ancient Chinese tradition of nuclear carving.

Nuclear carving is a handicraft which fashions exquisite miniature works of art carved from peach cores, apricot cores, olive cores and walnuts.

Shao Zhulin, inspired by his dad's passion for art, went to the nuclear carving hub of Zhoushan village – located in Suzhou city in East China's Jiangsu province – at a very young age.

There, he immersed himself in the delicate techniques of the craft, learning from the masters and absorbing the rich cultural heritage. In 2015, armed with his newfound skills, Shao returned to his hometown and established his own nuclear carving studio.

Unlike others who might choose peach pits, apricot pits, or other seeds for carving, Shao uses aged olive pits, at least 10 years old, as his creative canvas. In his cozy studio, he turns these ordinary pits into amazing pieces of art, carving out landscapes, flowers, birds and more.

An intricate nuclear carving scene from the hands of Shao Zhulin. [Photo by Min Dexia for chinadaily.com.cn]

The whole district is said to be abuzz about Shao's creations. Each carving is special, showcasing his talent and the beauty of traditional crafts. (Edited by Zhou Yunlai)