Sangpi paper is cut into small patches to make the canopy.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Since Liu Weixue first saw a handmade paper umbrella 17 years ago, he has been fascinated by the centuries-old craft and its techniques. At that time, little did he realize that he would, one day, bring his own contemporary touch to the once endangered tradition.

Made from bamboo and oiled paper, such umbrellas declined in appeal and production in the 1970s with the adoption of modern umbrellas. In 2007, Yuhang paper umbrella making was listed as a Zhejiang provincial intangible cultural heritage for its high artistry and sophistication.