A carving artist concentrates on a work of brick carving, in Qingxu county, Shanxi province. (Photo/Xinhua)

The Brick Carving of Qingxu county, Shanxi province, was selected as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008, It is an integrated art form involving kilning, drawing and carving, with 12 procedures, and over 30 steps. The exquisite handicraft is a valuable part of the area's cultural inheritance and the techniques have been passed down through generations.