LIAONING -- Traditional incense making, an intangible cultural heritage of China, has revived in China, as inheritors are making continuous efforts to promote the culture of aroma among people.

Incense, also known as Xiang in Chinese, plays an important role in Chinese culture, which was mainly used by noble families in the past as a status symbol. These days, the aromatic products have evolved to be more accessible and versatile.
Herbs, flowers and agarwood are all ingredients of traditional incense making, an intangible cultural heritage of China. Bai Yuchen is an incense maker from northeast China's Liaoning Province. She wants to recreate the scents of history in the modern society.
"Traditional incense-making refers to the ancient Chinese method of crafting incense, using pure natural spices, processing them, blending different varieties, and then shaping them into various incense products, such as incense balls, pastes, and powder," said Bai, an inheritor of traditional incense making.
Scent has played an important role in Chinese culture, and the tradition of making and appreciating incense dates back to about 6,000 years ago.
Incense was commonly used for fumigating clothes, creating an ambiance, as well as social gatherings and religious events. In today's world, incense is sometimes used for healthcare and medical treatments.
There are over 3,600 different spices found in nature. The process of making scents can be long and complex, as a single type of incense may need dozens of ingredients, also requiring a highly sensitive sense of smell.
Incense maker should first confirm the formulation of the aromatic ingredients and choose the ones with the best qualities. Once all the spices are ready, it's time to process and blend them, taking advantage of each of their fragrances and reaching a state of balance. After blending, the maker would store the incense properly to refine its scent
Besides crafting incense, Yuchen also organizes workshops to promote the art of aroma. Her workshops attract people from diverse backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, office professionals, and hobbyists. Many see her incense-making as a chance to relax when they are surrounded by scents.
Yuchen says she hopes more people can be familiar with and fond of the art of traditional incense-making, and that it will inspire many to maintain a calmer and closer-to-nature lifestyle.