Clay masks at Beijing temple fair Chinese New Year

Beijing's temple fairs have a tradition of more than a thousand years, dating back as far as the Liao Dynasty. They can be held monthly or as one-off events, but they are always a part of the Spring Festival. Millions of visitors go to enjoy folk performances, rich tasty snacks and handicrafts. One of these is the art of clay masks.

The temple fair in Beijng's Taoranting Park. Hundreds of clay masks are on display. They are drawn from Peking Opera and become a hallmark Chinese traditional culture..

Thirty-year old Lin Hongkui is a fifth-generation inheritor of the art.

Lin Hongkui, Folk artist, said, "This is one of my mother's masterpieces. She is so keen on the art, she has been doing it for more than thirty years."

Tong Xiufen, Lin's mother, has made more than a hundred thousand masks like this.

She can create more than four hundred different types of mask, and has prevented many of them from disappearing.

Tong learned the art in her twenties.

Tong Xiufen , Folk artist, said, "I learned it just out of interest. It's difficult to paint at first. The most difficult part is the eyes; you have to keep them in balance. My teacher told me my technique was good. That encourages me."

Producing the masks is a delicate and complicated process.

It starts with drawing an outline of the face, and then pigments are added. They represent the different temperaments of the characters. Red is a symbol of loyalty, white a symbol of bad faith, while silver and gold represent power.

It may take several days to complete a single item, but each one is a joy for its creator.