Nestled in Ji Jia Nong, the Root Carving Museum is a privately collected art gallery that appears unassuming from the outside, but inside, it houses over a hundred pieces of root carving art by the artist Zhang Zheng, suggesting a hidden depth of talent and skill. Zhang Zheng, originally from Hangzhou with roots in Shucheng, Anhui, settled in Xitang in 1999, a place conducive to rest and inspiration, and established the Root Carving Art Museum. His works emphasize the natural beauty of the wood, with only a third of the effort being human intervention, resulting in a grand and generous style that rivals the wonders of nature. The museum consists of two floors; the first floor displays large animal-shaped root carvings, while the second floor features smaller pieces. Regardless of their size, all the works are incredibly lifelike, eliciting admiration for the artist’s exquisite craftsmanship and divine skill. Master Zhang, recognized for his exceptional skill and indomitable spirit, has been listed in the World Who’s Who and is hailed as the ‘Son of the East.’ Many of the exhibited works, such as ‘Panda Panpan,’ ‘South Sea Qishan,’ ‘Eastern Lion,’ and ‘Peacock Display,’ have won awards nationally and internationally. Additionally, Zhang Zheng’s numerous large-scale root carvings, totaling 500 pieces with an average weight of 250 kilograms each, have been entered into the Guinness World Records. The museum is open all year round from 08:00 to 17:30. A must-see tip: due to the private nature of the collection, photography is not allowed inside.
