CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- The soft light filters through intricately engraved glass, casting a crystal-clear glow that exudes an irresistible charm. This is the exquisite art of Beibei glassware forming and engraving, a masterpiece of Chongqing’s intangible cultural heritage. Recently, this centuries-old tradition garnered renewed attention when it was featured in the second season of CCTV’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in China.

"In the South, we have Beibei in Chongqing; in the North, there is Shengdao in Dalian," goes the saying in China’s glass industry. This phrase pays tribute to the leading figures in China’s daily-use glass industry, with "Chongqing’s Beibei" standing out as a hallmark of glass craftsmanship. Beibei glassware, particularly renowned for its delicate glass engraving, transforms an ordinary piece of glass into a living work of art through its intricate, hand-carved patterns.

The history of Beibei glassware engraving dates back to the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (around 1906 AD). Over generations, skilled artisans have continuously refined their techniques, shaping a unique artistic tradition celebrated for both its visual beauty and artistic value. In 1951, the Beibei Glassware Factory was established, and for decades, "Beibei Glass" became a cornerstone of China’s national glass-forming and engraving industry. At its height, the factory employed over 2,000 workers, including 200 master engravers.