According to Cui Youxin, head of the creative cultural product center at the Gansu Provincial Museum, the success of these innovative souvenirs lies in their ability to meet the demands of young people seeking relaxation and individuality.

However, Cui emphasized that creating truly ingenious cultural products requires an intimate knowledge of cultural relics and their historical background.

"Only those deeply rooted in the soil of Chinese history and culture can stand the test of time," she said.

In addition to Happy Loong, the Gansu Provincial Museum offers stuffed toys inspired by the flying apsaras of the Mogao Grottoes and the bronze galloping horse from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), all of which combine rich history with Gen-Z appeal.

Gao Yafang, head of the tourism college at the Lanzhou University of Arts and Science, said that such souvenirs have the potential to stimulate young people's interest in cultural heritage and encourage them to preserve traditional culture.

Looking ahead, the museum souvenir market in China is expected to continue growing.

China's central economic work conference, which was held in December, proposed that the country should actively develop new consumption growth points such as China-chic goods in 2024.

This presents abundant opportunities for designers like Wu.

"We will continue to do our best to develop innovative and satisfying products," she said. "We do this out of love and enthusiasm."

Xinhua