Zhou Yongping demonstrates the carving techniques of Sizhou inkstone to his apprentices in Cengong County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, July 30, 2019. Born in a family of inkstone carving for generations, Zhou Yongping, a 50-year-old inheritor of Sizhou inkstone carving, has been fascinated by this art for over 30 years and made great efforts to perfect it. (Photos: Xinhua)

Cengong County, known as Sizhou in ancient China, is home to the historic Sizhou inkstone.

Zhou Yongping (L) demonstrates how to clean a Sizhou inkstone to an apprentice in Cengong County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, July 30, 2019.

Zhou Yongping processes a Sizhou inkstone carving in Cengong County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, July 30, 2019.

Zhou Yongping and his apprentice select stones to make the Sizhou inkstone in Cengong County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, July 30, 2019.

Zhou Yongping polishes a stone to make the Sizhou inkstone in Cengong County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, July 30, 2019.