Guizhou artisan keeps xiao tradition alive

Chu's workshop produces both traditional six-hole and eight-hole xiao. [Photo/ddcpc website]

Chu Baolun is a native of Jiaojia village in Anshun city, Southwest China's Guizhou province. For 35 years, he has remained dedicated to the craft of making xiao (Chinese vertical bamboo flute). Today, under his guidance, more than a dozen apprentices are learning flute-making from scratch, breathing new life into the traditional art form.

"When I first started learning, I often ran into issues with the bamboo cracking and the pitch being unstable; countless details had to be figured out through trial and error," said 45-year-old Chu. Having first encountered flute-making at the age of 10, he accumulated experience through repeated attempts, gradually turning a hobby into a professional career.

While staying true to traditional craftsmanship, Chu constantly explores innovation. To meet modern performance demands, he modified the traditional six-hole xiao into an eight-hole version, which improves pitch stability and playing comfort without sacrificing its classic tone.

Today, more and more traditional music enthusiasts are embracing this craft. The workshop currently generates an average daily sales volume of around 5,000 yuan ($740), turning flute-making from a simple handicraft into a stable, thriving industry.

Over the years, Chu has mentored apprentices, passing down his years of experience to the younger generation, covering everything from bamboo selection and production processes to drilling techniques and tuning methods.

Looking ahead, he plans to continue cultivating young talent in flute-making while using digital platforms to promote xiao culture, allowing more people to discover and appreciate this traditional craft.