Six days ahead of Chinese New Year, 71-year-old Wang Xujiang and his wife are weaving thin bamboo fibers with their bare hands to make lanterns. /CFP Photo

Each year they spend days and nights making over 3,000 lanterns, selling them for 30 yuan (5 US dollars) each to travelling merchants for the Lunar New Year festive supply. /CFP Photo

The Fire Calabash Lantern originated from northwest China’s Xi’an, in Shaanxi Province, and has a history of over 300 years. /CFP Photo

It is a local tradition for an uncle to give his niece a lantern during Spring Festival, with all kinds of blessings and wishes for the younger generation. /CFP Photo

It takes 13 steps to make a Fire Calabash Lantern, from making the thin bamboo fibers to fabricating the thin paper to wrap the lantern frame. An adult can make around 10 such delicate pieces per day at maximum. /CFP Photo

Craftsmanship takes years of love, patience and dedication. Most locals learned to make the Fire Calabash Lantern from their parents at a very young age. /CFP Photo

But it is fading as many youngsters abandon this tradition. /CFP Photo

In China, many types of craftsmanship are on the wane as the younger generation pursues efficiency with the help of advancing technology. /CFP Photo

Ancient methods and old handicrafts are struggling now, the price of fast-paced growth and development. /CFP Photo