A carver utilizes a special gadget to cut a piece of Gobi jade into an antique-style dragon at a local antique store in Urad Middle Banner, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Often found in the Urad grassland, this type of Gobi jade is especially hard, very smooth, and can be polished to a high gloss. These Gobi jades are usually carved into various shapes including animals, flowers, plants, and human figures. With the extraordinary folk workmanship, these vivid and lifelike handicrafts are not only part of the region’s heritage and historic culture but also benefit local craftsmen and jade merchants. [Photo/Xinhua]

A jade pendant, carved into the shape of ancient gargoyles, is showcased at a local antique store in Urad Middle Banner, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Often found in the Urad grassland, this type of Gobi jade is especially hard, very smooth, and can be polished to a high gloss. These Gobi jades are usually carved into various shapes including animals, flowers, plants, and human figures. With the extraordinary folk workmanship, these vivid and lifelike handicrafts are not only part of the region’s heritage and historic culture but also benefit local craftsmen and jade merchants. [Photo/Xinhua]