Zhu Yu and his carved redwood boat. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

There is a saying in Chinese redwood carving community that China's best redwood carving techniques are in Jiangsu and Jiangsu's best redwood carving techniques are in Nantong.

In 2011, Nantong redwood carving techniques were listed as a provincial intangible cultural heritage item and Zhu Yu was recognized as the techniques' provincial inheritor.

Over the past four decades, Zhu has been promoting and developing the traditional techniques and creating unique redwood boat making techniques, which helped him gain the reputation of the "King of Boats in Jiangdong Area".

One of his carving works, a Chinese Treasure Boat, won the gold award at an international expo and was recognized by Shanghai China Records Headquarters as the biggest of its kind in the world.

Measuring six meters, the carving is shaped as a dragon boat decorated with carved elements of Beijing such as Tiananmen, the Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall.

"It usually takes eight to 10 years to design a boat," said Zhu. "Besides finding inspirations from materials, I also need to make on-site visits to have first-hand experience."

The craftsman also believes that the inheritance of a craft requires efforts by dozens of generations. To promote the traditional craft, Zhu set up a workshop five years ago where teenagers or enthusiasts of wood carving can try the craft.

He has also taught wood carving both at local schools and online, and promoted the inclusion of redwood carving in the courses of fine arts institutes.