Zheng Chunhui explains the manual script of his new work, Beijing-Hangzhou Canal. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Similar to the mountain and water themes found in Chinese ink paintings, Zheng's works are also about nature.

"My inspiration comes from poems and painting from ancient celebrities, and I will recreate them with different types of wood to express my understanding," Zheng said.

To promote the craft and exhibit his works, Zheng opened an wood carving gallery in Putian in 2015, the first run by an individual artist and free to the public.