Fengning Manchu Paper Cutting

National ICH · Batch 1
Origin

Fengning Manchu paper cutting originated in the shamanic beliefs and daily life of the Manchu ancestors, initially used to make spirit figures for religious ceremonies, and gradually evolved into a distinctive folk art form passed down through generations in Fengning County.

The art form

Its style is bold and unrestrained with simple, powerful lines; patterns are mostly drawn from Manchu myths, natural flora and fauna, and folk life, predominantly in single-colour cutting, vivid and expressive.

Cultural significance

Fengning Manchu paper cutting is an important witness to the fusion of Manchu and Han cultures and a core representative of Chengde's ethnic minority culture, having participated in numerous international cultural exchange exhibitions.

Where to experience

Fengning County has a paper-cutting art exhibition hall where visitors can watch inheritors create in real time and purchase works; displays are also found at cultural scenic areas across Chengde city.