Born in 1995, Lang Jiaziyu is the third-generation inheritor of Dough Figurine Lang, a folk art developed by his family that was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage item in China in 2008. He has injected fresh vitality into this centuries-old tradition by incorporating elements from pop culture. His innovative creations have attracted hundreds of thousands of followers on social media.

Dough Figurine Lang was founded by Lang Jiaziyu's grandfather Lang Shao'an, who studied this craft in the 1920s. Under the influence of his family, Lang Jiaziyu started learning dough figurine-making at a young age.

"Pursuing the path of dough figurine-making seemed natural to me. There were several reasons for this. Being born to such a family gave me more exposure to traditional Chinese handicrafts. But when I turned 18, I really had to consider my future path, and I wondered whether I had an alternative path. After reflecting on this at length, I realized this is something I both enjoy and excel at," he told CGTN.

Lang Jiaziyu is focused on creating new dough figurines that speak to a contemporary audience. He found his answer in fusing Chinese and Western culture, incorporating both tradition and modernity.

Inspired by the ancient Chinese compendium of mythology and beasts, "The Classic of Mountains and Seas," Lang crafted a stunning model of Zhu Rong, the God of Fire.

"In the process of creation, you must boldly connect with your era," he said. "This is the most important trademark for an artist."

Lang has gained a solid fan base on social media platforms with his video tutorials and creative designs reenacting scenes from famous books or daily life. As a Gen-Zer, he's often inspired by trendy characters from popular culture that are universally loved. Lang said he enjoys interacting with fans online and getting their feedback on his works.

For Lang, intangible cultural heritage inheritors should view themselves as artists. While introducing these fading arts to larger audiences, they can also showcase their personality and express their artistic views in their works.

"You must learn the traditional ways and then try your best to apply your life experiences and feelings to your work, because traditional handicrafts, especially intangible cultural heritage skills such as dough figurine-making, are not just the wisdom of one generation," he said. "Generations have delved into this medium, making it highly sophisticated. It would be unwise to disregard ancient wisdom."

Lang feels it is his mission to pass on this ancient treasure of Chinese culture. "I hope I can create works that align with the spirit of the times, and make some contributions to passing on China's cultural heritage, so that future generations can stand on my shoulders and blaze their own trails," he added.