A cooperative in Khamshong township in Xigaze, Tibet autonomous region, has helped preserve the traditional craftsmanship of wool making and in the meantime offered new hope for Tibetans to shake off poverty. LIU XIANGRUI/CHINA DAILY

In 2016, the cooperative reported a profit of 1.35 million yuan.

"The best monk robes made at our cooperative can sell at about 15,000 yuan a piece," says Namdrol, who has been pronounced a regional inheritor of the craft.

In the cooperative, only traditional manual equipment is used.

Besides the traditional robes for monks, the cooperative has developed other products, such as scarves and clothes for common use.

Before the cooperative was set up, few local residents were involved with the craft because home-based workshops suffered from lack of market access.

"The craft was almost lost," says Namdrol.

"But now our supply falls short. More people are willing to learn the old craft, which is the best way to preserve it."

Contact the writer at liuxiangrui@chinadaily.com.cn