Fangcheng Stone Monkey [Photo from chinadaily.com.cn]

The Fangcheng stone monkey is a famous outstanding handcrafted stone inscription, which stems from the Song Dynasty (960–1279) and boomed in the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. It has a history of over 1,000 years.

The Fangcheng stone monkey belongs to a mini type of stone inscription. It has procedures such as selecting materials, making molds, polishing, engraving, stewing, coloring, drying, smearing tung oil and so on. The colors include yellow, green, black and red. It is a living cultural relic to study the folk culture in the Central Plains.

Wang Zhongyi, an old man who is the successor of the Fangcheng stone monkey, was awarded an outstanding successor of folk culture in Henan province in 2006. In June 2006, the Fangcheng stone monkey was listed in the second batch of national intangible cultural heritages by the State Council.