The ancient town of Pingyao has embarked on a quest to resurrect the lost art of handmade lacquerware, Sun Yuanqing and Sun Ruisheng report.

When a girl gets married in Pingyao, an ancient town in Shanxi province, at the top of her wish list is not a diamond ring, but a lacquer dressing case. Ideally it will be painted with peonies that stand for blessings, or scenarios from romantic fairy tales. The dressing case is considered not only a container of jewelry, but also a portent for a good life.

But it has been increasingly hard to find authentic handmade Pingyao lacquerware in Pingyao as the market is flooded with modern lacquerware made with chemical lacquer. That is about to change as the city embarks on a journey to rediscover its cultural heritage.