As Xu Gang lays an iron stick on an electric welding machine, the high temperature instantly reddens and softens the stick. He immediately bends the stick and hits it with a hammer. Soon, an iron crane is born.

Xu is an iron painter in the city of Wuhu, East China's Anhui province. The city has abundant iron mines, and iron painting became an important part of local art thanks to advanced metal refining skills in ancient China and the traditional emphasis on Chinese culture.

"I have been in this business for 30 years," said Xu. "It's a difficult job, but I love it."

Recently, Xu's paintings stole the spotlight at the Jiuci Old Town tourist attraction in Wuhu, as the local government tries to promote Anhui cultural relics such as Anhui paintings and Anhui ink in the newly-expanded old town, which officially opened to the public in December.

An "Iron Man"

Wuhu iron paintings took shape at the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Artists use iron blades and iron sticks to create a variety of decorations. China listed the craftsmanship as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006.

The iron paintings drew inspiration from traditional Chinese brush paintings, but the iron sticks replaced the brush strokes. They mostly depict mountains, water, plants and birds and exude a sense of elegance and charm.

Before Xu became an iron painter, he was an ordinary, skilled worker in a local iron plant in Wuhu, churning out iron products.

"Although I was working at the iron plant, my heart yearned for iron paintings," he said.

In Wuhu, there were already workshops specializing in iron paintings, and Xu made up his mind to learn the art.