Gongchuan Yarn Paper: A cultural symbol of Dahua

The making of Gongchuan Yarn Paper is a traditional technique in Dahua Yao autonomous county, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. It is also a cultural symbol of Dahua.

The technique is mainly passed down in Dahua Yao autonomous county, Du'an Yao autonmous country, and Long'an county, among which Gongchuan town in Dahua boasts a complete production scale and craft inheritance, with a history of more than 100 years.

The manufacturing craft of Gongchuan Yarn Paper is complicated. It must go through the process of soaking, boiling, washing, and selecting the yarn, grinding materials, pressing paper paste, drying paper, separating paper from molds, as well as counting and cutting paper.

Gongchuan Yarn Paper possesses features like long fiber, high toughness, moisture absorption, air permeability, anti-corrosion and moth-proof, strong ink absorption, as well as strong color.

In addition to the local market, Gongchuan Yarn Paper is sold to Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and Europe in large quantities. The development of the yarn paper industry has largely raised the incomes of locals, helping lift them out of poverty.

After being listed as an intangible cultural heritage in Guangxi in 2007, policy protection, financial support, and promotions have been strengthened to restore and protect Gongchuan Yarn Paper making techniques, which has achieved good results.

Tourists learn the manufacturing process of Gongchuan Yarn Paper. [Photo by Gao Dongfeng/gxnews.com.cn]    

An inheritor of the Gongchuan Yarn Paper making technique shows the good quality of the paper. [Photo by Gao Dongfeng/gxnews.com.cn]