A hall recently built using the traditional architectural skills of the Xiangshan group in Suzhou.[Photo by Wang Kaihao/China Daily]

"Traditional architecture in Suzhou has its unique characteristics. Their color, paintings and carving images are natural. We prefer building something that's practical yet delicate rather than just grand. Each design has its function beyond aesthetic purpose," Lu says.

In older times, Xiangshan's artisans followed these characteristics to landscape gardens in Suzhou, also UNESCO World Heritage sites. Lu has renovated several gardens and historical relics in the ancient city but has become more famous for taking Suzhou's gardens overseas.

In 1999, Lu built the Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland, Oregon. The garden's name - from a combination of Portland and Suzhou - means "awakening orchid" in Chinese. It is the first Chinese garden built abroad by the Xiangshan group and is a major tourist draw in Portland. Lu works on projects throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

"It is a pity that the US has different concepts for construction. We have to compromise to use some modern skills to follow American safety rules but the adjustment is not perceptible for visitors. Traditional techniques are used for every visible part in the gardens only to keep genuine flavor."

Lu complains that some carpenters from his hometown indulge in "showing off" in foreign lands. "This attitude is unhealthy for our Xiangshan brand."

Xu Jianhua, deputy head of the Xiangshan group association, says that the lack of prominent young inheritors is stalling development of the craft. "It will take at least eight years to nurture a qualified Xiangshan architect. What we can provide now is merely a few months of training," Xu says.

There isn't enough money in the profession and many local people are switching to better jobs. The average monthly salary for today's artisans is often less than 6,000 yuan ($960), which isn't the best pay in Suzhou, one of China's most developed cities. Though migrant workers fill the gap, Xu is concerned about maintaining the traditional standard.