Craftsman makes exquisite miniature instruments

In Wuhan, capital city of central China's Hubei Province, folk craftsman Li Fengting has gained fame for having made nearly a hundred pieces of exquisite miniature instruments over the past decade.

The musical instruments are so true to detail that he's re-created the Chinese Folk Music Orchestra. We visit his home with our reporter Huang Baohua and take a look at his fascinating miniature world.

This might be the smallest Yangqin you could find in Wuhan, It took the 67-year-old craftsman almost a year to complete. This Yang Qin is more than a beautiful display – you can play a complete melody on it!

This Gu Zheng, is a 1:10 scale replica. Li Fengting takes to every detail with a delicate hand and high standards. Even his tools are custom-made.

Craftsman Li Fengting said, "When I was young, I enjoyed the arts greatly, especially music. And I used to help my daughter repair musical instruments while she was doing her Master's Degree in Music. This inspired my work."

His crafts include Chinese folk musical instruments such as the Er Hu, the Morin Khuur, and the Pipa which he has decorated with a Peony, a Chinese character for "Longevity".

Li said, "My hobby fills my retired life with so many pleasures, and it also brings much joy to my family members and neighbors as well."

Li's dream is to make even more musical miniatures including woodwinds and percussions that would feature local characteristics, as a means of passing along China's cultural and artistic traditions.