Carving a hidden gem of heritage

Craftswoman devotes herself to ethnic Mongolian art, launching her own brand to give 'gifts from a friend', Li Yingxue reports.

How much impact can a single elective course have? For Li Xiaofang, one made a great impact on her entire career.

Born in 1994 in Tongliao, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Li was a junior studying art design at Inner Mongolia University when she enrolled in a class on traditional ethnic Mongolian leather carving, a national intangible cultural heritage, a decision that changed her life. After graduating, she founded her studio and devoted herself to the craft ever since.

Today, her studio Sange Xiangpijiang (Three Fragrant Leather Artisans) is nestled on Saishang Old Street in Hohhot and has become a must-visit tourist destination. This year, she launched her own brand Naijili, which means "a gift from a friend" in Mongolian.