Zhang Shuguo, a birdcage making master, makes the artwork of a birdcage in Huilong Village, Jincheng Town, Jinning County. The bamboo can not be bent until burnt by fire. [Photo/ Lang Xiaowei]

Do you know how much a bamboo bird cage is worth?

In Yunnan, a bamboo bird cage value worth thousands or even tens of thousands of yuan. And buyers flock to purchase even though there is no advertising.

It's not Fantasy. Similar scenes can be found everywhere in Sanzhuang village of Jingcheng Town,

Zhang Shuguo (张树国), the Chairman of Jingcheng Bamboo Association that was established in 2006, is responsible for the sales task of bamboo bird cages. Walking into his office, various bamboo bird cages are placed everywhere. Those finished birdcages that made by villagers were delivered to his office.

“There is basically no inventory in the village, and all of birdcages had been sold out,” Zhang Shuguo said. A total of 64 households in Sanzhuang Village engaged on making bird cages for many years. They first started selling bird cages in the Jingxing Bird and Flower Market of Kunming. At present, birdcages have been sold to other provinces of China, such as: Guangdong and Fujian.

Generally, the price for each birdcage is 200-300 yuan, according to a calculation based on ordinary bird cage (no engraving).The sales revenue in 64 households reaches nearly 5 million yuan a year.

Yang Chun, a birdcage making master, shows his birdcage in Huilong Village, Jincheng Town, Jinning County. The bamboo can not be bent until burnt by fire. [Photo/ Lang Xiaowei]

In Sanzhuang Village, there is a master of making bird cage, Yangchun (阳春) who one of the inheritors of Kunming intangible cultural heritage. He has possessed superb skill to make exquisite birdcages. “On an average, I only make one birdcage per month and its price would not fall below 5000 yuan,” he said.

In Kunming, a large variety of bird cages can be found at the Jingxing Bird and Flower Market. Most sellers said that people in aviculture are willing to pay higher prices for bird cages with exquisite workmanship.

In some parks, elderly people (mostly) are famous for walking their pet birds in the early morning. They walk while gently swinging the birdcages, which are covered with white or black cloth.

After arriving at a park or a pretty street garden, they stop to uncover the cloth and hang up their various ornate bamboo birdcages to the lower branches of a tree.

“I also have beautiful bird cages that placed in the home,” an elder told reporters.

“I liked birds and I am certainly willing to buying a beautiful bird cage for my lovebird,” said an ordinary white collar surnamed Huang.

The hobby of walking pet birds has been popular in China since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and this old tradition continues with many people still taking pleasure from this simple outdoor activity.

A birdcage making master shows the carving skills on the bamboo of a birdcage in Huilong Village, Jincheng Town, Jinning County. The bamboo can not be bent until burnt by fire. [Photo/ Lang Xiaowei]

The delicate birdcage placed in the house of Zhang Shuguo, a birdcage making master, in Huilong Village, Jincheng Town, Jinning County. The bamboo can not be bent until burnt by fire. [Photo/ Lang Xiaowei]

Photo shows the tools for making birdcages in Huilong Village, Jincheng Town, Jinning County where most of villagers are masters of carving birdcages. [Photo/ Lang Xiaowei]

A birdcage making master shows the skill of birdcage making in Huilong Village, Jincheng Town, Jinning County. The bamboo can not be bent until burnt by fire. [Photo/ Lang Xiaowei]

(Editor: Ryan Li/Lynn)