Pi Paper

The craft of Guizhou Pi Paper production is a nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage that embodies the living transmission of ancient Chinese papermaking civilization. This craft preserves the core techniques of handmade papermaking and is primarily practiced in areas such as Shiqiao in Danzhai County, Qiandongnan; Xiangzhigou in Wudang, Guiyang; and Xiaotun in Zhenfeng County, Qianxinan. It serves as a “living fossil” for studying traditional Chinese papermaking. Its raw materials are purely natural, and the craftsmanship is intricate. The finished paper possesses unique qualities such as soft resilience, smoothness, and durability. It is not only an important cultural medium but also embodies the wisdom of ethnic minorities living in harmony with nature.

Specifically, the Pi Paper production in Shiquiao, Danzi County, uses ramie bark and cypress roots as raw materials. Its white Pi Paper is soft, resilient, smooth, and water-resistant, and has even spawned a series of colored papers, including floral and herbal designs. The locally produced “Spring-Welcoming Paper” has been successfully utilized in ancient text restoration projects at institutions like the Palace Museum due to its exceptional properties. In Xiangzhi Gully, Guiyang (home to the Buyi ethnic group), bamboo serves as the raw material. Its 72-step production process mirrors the techniques documented in the ancient text “Tian Gong Kai Wu,” resulting in bamboo paper featuring subtle bamboo grain patterns and a faint, natural fragrance. Similarly, the white cotton paper from Xiaotun in Zhenfeng County, also made from paper mulberry bark, boasts a long history and yields a smooth, supple finish. Today, these ancient crafts are revitalized through “intangible cultural heritage plus” models—establishing cooperatives, developing cultural and creative products, and promoting educational tourism—achieving a virtuous cycle of preservation and development.