"While many people appreciate my art, these small works don't pose significant technical challenges; after all, they are not artistic creations but more like records. For me, the most important thing is to persist in this endeavor," Qin said.

As time passed, the number of fans of his work continued to grow. Some suggested turning his paintings into postcards, puzzles, or fridge magnets as cultural and creative products.

"I thought the idea was excellent and decided to give it a try. I was surprised by the overwhelming popularity of the products, which filled me with a sense of accomplishment," Qin said.

Today, Qin shares his work on social media platforms like Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and Bilibili, and has also produced videos introducing ancient buildings.

"My goal now is to create things that young people, especially those interested in cultural innovation, will love. For example, I aim to develop products that bring ancient buildings to life, infusing them with new vitality, so that more young people can understand and appreciate them," Qin expressed.

Having visited over 20 provinces and 40 cities, studying and observing cultural souvenirs at famous scenic spots across the country, Qin is determined to continue painting ancient buildings.

His aspiration is to depict all 531 nationally protected cultural heritage sites in Shanxi, using his art to revitalize these ancient buildings and restore them to their youthful splendor.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Shanxi's ancient architectural treasures remained hidden from the world until renowned architects Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin made four trips to Shanxi to survey and document them, unveiling the magnificent ancient buildings of this mystical land to the public.

The recent release of China's first AAA game, Black Myth: Wukong, has attracted worldwide attention. Featuring Shanxi's rich cultural relics and ancient architectural landscapes, the game has received high praise for its visual effects and design.

"Through this game, I've discovered new aspects of ancient buildings and sculptures that I didn't fully understand before. I plan to draw them in a narrative style so that more people can get to know and appreciate them." Qin said.

Contact the writers at [email protected]

ZHU XINGXIN in Taiyuan and ZHANG LI