Cultural and creative collectibles, often designed on the basis of cultural relics and vested with pieces of history, are now sought-after mementos or gifts for friends in China after becoming the latest consumer phenomenon to sweep museums and tourist hotspots across the country.
While it is hard to pinpoint exactly when cultural products began to take off, they have quickly become must-have souvenirs at tourist attractions and museums across the Asian country.
Some collectors even travel across the country just to gather them.
When talking with the China Global Television Network (CGTN), Wang Kongkong, a cultural product designer at the Miaoying Temple in Beijing, shared his design philosophy of the figurine of the White Pagoda.
"It's based on the shape of the White Pagoda. For its 745th anniversary, I made a special little sweater for it. The fluffy texture is perfect for winter. There's even a zipper at the bottom where you can add a wish or blessing. It's important to balance aesthetics with functionality. These products bridge museums and the public, translating rich cultural history into something easy to understand," said Wang.
Designing products for historical sites is not easy. Wang has to start from scratch -- learning the history, familiarizing himself with the architecture, and exploring every little detail, so that each product is rooted in solid research.
These charming products have done more than just attract visitors to less-known museums and landmarks, and they have also opened new and diverse consumption opportunities for the cultural tourism industry.
"We used to collect fridge magnets from other countries. Now, our own cultural products are more refined, meaningful, and unique. We're starting to collect them from Beijing!" said a tourist.
Jia Kelei, co-founder of A View Culture Co. Ltd., said he was greatly encouraged by young people's enthusiasm for cultural collectibles that integrate Chinese traditional culture.
"People are increasingly drawn to the fusion of traditional Chinese culture and plush toys. There are so much more to explore within Chinese culture. It's inspiring to see more young people embracing our traditions, loving them, and even willing to pay for products that reflect our cultural heritage. I'm confident our products will soon be making waves overseas," said Jia.
China's cultural collectible market flourishes, becomes latest consumer phenomenon
