1 / 4   Wu Shuigen has dedicated to making Miaos’ silver jewelry for more than two decades. The folk artisan from southwest China’s Guizhou Province is the eighth generation of his family to inherit the state-level intangible cultural heritage. /VCG Photo

2 / 4   “In the Miao ethnic group district, we share the tradition that the brides will be given a set of silver decorations as gifts by their families,” said the 52-year-old Chinese man. “The dowries represent the wishes.” /VCG Photo

3 / 4   “The ethnic icons on the silver jewelry distinguish ours from others,” said Wu. “We have butterflies, golden pheasants, fishes and Chinese unicorns –all of them are good luck symbols.” /VCG Photo

4 / 4   Wu has been trying to teach the crafts-making technologies to his neighbors in the village and 18 apprentices. “The most difficult obstacle for me now is to promote the handicraft culture,” he said. /VCG Photo