Inlaid porcelain rooftop decoration in Chaoshan region

Intricate inlaid porcelain sculptures on the rooftop of a building in Chaozhou, Guangdong province, Jan. 23, 2026. [Photo by Gong Yingchun/China.org.cn]

Inlaid porcelain ("qianci") is a distinctive folk craft in the Chaoshan region, which predominantly covers the cities of Chaozhou and Shantou in south China's Guangdong province. The craft was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in China in 2008. Artisans cut and inlay colored glazed porcelain fragments to create intricate designs of legendary figures, auspicious flowers, birds and mythical creatures. Merging painting, sculpture and mosaic work, the craft is used to decorate the rooftops of temples, archways and residences.