Driven by a deep passion for craftsmanship, Lin Chun-i, a leather goods designer from Taiwan, has spent more than two decades traveling across the Chinese mainland to learn traditional craft techniques recognized as intangible cultural heritage.

Born in 1972, Lin came to the mainland in 1993 and established a leather goods factory in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. He described the city as "open to all", noting that it offers abundant opportunities for his business, from well-developed supply chains to diverse sales channels.

With his factory primarily focused on exporting leather fashion products, Lin began exploring ways to make his goods stand out in the international market.

Raised in a family deeply involved in the textile trade, Lin studied art-related subjects in Taiwan, including cloth dyeing. His natural affinity for textiles sparked a fascination with the traditional sewing and embroidery techniques of various ethnic groups across the Taiwan Strait.

Today, his workshop in Liwanhu Park in Guangzhou displays leather bags, clothing and accessories that incorporate traditional craft techniques. These include brocades from the Dong and Tujia ethnic groups, as well as Taroko weaving and Bunun cross-stitch embroidery from Taiwan.

Lin acquired these skills by visiting provinces such as Guizhou and Hunan, as well as the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, where many ethnic groups continue to preserve their intangible cultural heritage.

"It's not just about learning craft skills, but about integrating these rich cultural traditions into my designs," Lin said. He emphasized that embroidery patterns of ethnic groups serve as carriers of culture, particularly since many lack written documentation.

Reflecting on his learning process, Lin recalled a trip to Hunan more than a decade ago, when he learned Tujia brocade in four days. He visited a local craftsman in the morning to express his interest and returned that afternoon fully prepared — with a towel, coffee and his reading glasses — to begin practicing at the loom.

Tujia brocade is known for its intricate handpicked weaving technique, and the craftsman did not expect Lin to master it within a month.

"But by the second day, I was already weaving patterns," Lin recalled.

Over the years, Lin has mastered more than 30 craft techniques spanning weaving, embroidery and dyeing. For him, the process has always been a source of joy rather than a source of hardship.

Today, more than half of the manufacturing process at his factory is done by hand, Lin said. He has also brought orders to hundreds of female embroiderers in Gansu province, helping them turn their skills into a sustainable source of income.

"While fast fashion and e-commerce prioritize efficiency and low cost, we insist on preserving cultural heritage and enabling artisans to transform their skills into livelihoods, rather than replacing them with machines," Lin said. "Without this care, it's exploitation, not inheritance."

As both designer and entrepreneur, Lin seeks to imbue his products with cultural significance, incorporating auspicious patterns and symbols that give them value beyond mere utility.

His dedication earned him the title of "intangible cultural heritage promotion ambassador", awarded by the city government of Huaihua, Hunan, in September last year.

"It is my responsibility to pass the heritage on to the next generation," Lin said.

In addition to managing his factory and workshop, Lin serves as a visiting professor at seven universities, teaching leather craftsmanship that incorporates traditional weaving and embroidery techniques.

Behind the exhibition space of his workshop stands the 1576 Traditional Arts Center, which provided dyeing and embroidery lessons to nearly 40 student groups from Taiwan last year.

Lin explained that the number"1576" represents the total length of the coastlines of Taiwan, Penghu, Jinmen and Matsu, symbolizing that "not a single part of the Chinese nation can be left out".

These hands-on sessions aim to give young people greater access to intangible cultural heritage and spark their interest.

"I look forward to seeing students who once participated return to engage with this industry," he said.

Xia Ji contributed to this story.

lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn