Recently, an intangible cultural heritage (ICH) wood carving exhibition themed on wood as the medium and mansion as the soul is about to kick off at the General’s Mansion of Shaoxing Lanting Pushen Hotel."Wooden Charms in the Hall – The Permanent ICH Wood Carving Exhibition at the General’s Mansion" will be officially launched on February 1, 2026.Bringing together rare wood carving masterpieces crafted by ICH inheritors, the exhibition weaves an immersive narrative through the integration of ancient residence, wood carving art and master craftsmen. It allows the millennium-old wood carving craftsmanship to spark new collisions with the historic architectural space, evolving into a living museum where the public can experience the exquisite craftsmanship of the Jiangnan region firsthand.

Stepping into the General’s Mansion, amid the whitewashed walls and black-tiled roofs, the foreword hits the mark at once: “This is the former residence of the general. Every beam and pillar once bore witness to the resounding echoes of the turbulent wartime in Huizhou; every mortise and tenon also carries the gentle legacy of the Jiangnan craftsmen.” Translocated from Huizhou, this ancient building once safeguarded local peace with its bricks and stones. Today, it continues its story with wood carvings, returning to the true essence of art. The exhibition selects wood carving components and ornaments featuring auspicious beasts, flowers and birds, figures, landscapes created by intangible cultural heritage inheritors, condensing “the myriad scenes of mountains and rivers” between beams and brackets, desk tops and folding screens.

In the exhibition design, wood carvings are deeply integrated with the ancient architectural space:Irregular ornaments featuring human figures and trees, supported by dark square bases, form an elegant contrast with the white walls;Large-scale wood carvings displayed on wooden columns have textures that echo the wooden structures of the ancient building;On the bases along one side of the corridor, rough sculptures engage in a material dialogue with delicate wood carvings, subtly embodying the traditional aesthetic of “the harmonious integration of hardness and softness”.

"A Microcosm in Chisel and Knife: Exploring the Form, Essence and Soul of Intangible Cultural Heritage Wood Carving"

A set of auspicious beast wood carving components stands out as a paragon: the mythical creatures, entwined with scrolling grass patterns, boast vivid and lifelike postures, their lines flowing like clouds and water. The primitive and antique hues lingering on the surface tell tales of the passage of time.In another ornament featuring human figures and trees, each figure strikes a distinct pose, the tree branches twist and turn with lifelike verve, and even the veins on the leaves are clearly distinguishable—showcasing the extraordinary carving craftsmanship that reveals a "vast universe within a tiny inch".

The themes of the wood carvings cover "Flowers and Birds Perching on Eaves", "Auspicious Beasts Resting on Desks" and "Legends Embedded in Screens". For instance, the flower-and-bird wood carvings on the eaves convey vitality through dynamic shapes; the auspicious beasts on the desks symbolize good fortune; the legendary stories depicted on the screens imply the significance of moral enlightenment. Every piece is a "dialogue between the craftsman and the wood".

The exhibition specially sets up a "Craftsman Live Demonstration" section, which captures the scenes of artisans at work: masters with over 30 years of experience hold carving knives, meticulously chiseling various patterns stroke by stroke. Wood shavings scattered across the workbench and neatly arranged carving tools bear witness to the dedication of "using knives as brushes". As stated in the foreword: "Every wisp of wood fragrance is a harmonious blend of time and life."

This innovative exhibition model of "ancient architecture + intangible cultural heritage" has also been recognized by cultural relic preservation experts:"The relocation and reconstruction of the General’s Mansion is itself a successful case of cultural relic protection. Now, activating its cultural functions with wood carvings has transformed the ancient building from a ‘specimen’ into a ‘classroom’, providing a new paradigm for the dissemination of intangible cultural heritage."

"May you come here to witness the world, embrace the craftsmanship, and catch the tiny spark that is about to be born in your own hands." Starting from February 1, 2026, "Wooden Charms in the Hall – The Permanent ICH Wood Carving Exhibition at the General’s Mansion" will be open to hotel guests free of charge. Visitors can observe the wood carving textures up close, experience the ancient architectural space, and personally feel the millennium-old craftsmanship that "takes wood as a vessel".