Chu Ronghua, a 68-year-old resident of Longchu village in Ningbo's Ninghai county, has carved numerous artworks on wine vats.

The works feature vivid animal patterns, including the twelve Chinese zodiac, elephants and phoenixes.

Chu, who used to be a courtyard designer, began to create the animal vats after he attended a competition organized by the county government to encourage creativity among residents as a way to revitalize rural areas.

In 2019, an event entitled "Village Revitalization through Art" was launched in Ninghai county, during which college teachers and students renovated the villages in the county. A group of students from Ningbo University came to Longchu village and utilized their expertise in courtyard design to aid in the village's renovation. Chu joined in the efforts, turning vats into bonsais to decorate the village.

"Many people came to buy my works. I have sold more than 30 vats," said Chu, "I plan to create more styles and patterns."

Chu Ronghua, a 68-year-old resident of Longchu village in Ningbo's Ninghai county, carves animal patterns on a vat on July 29. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]