Zaohua, also known as "zaotou painting", is a traditional folk art originating from regions south of the Yangtze River — including Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Zaotou paintings on a traditional stove in rural Shanghai. [WeChat account: shanghaitourism]

To prevent soot from escaping and to beautify stoves, people create decorative patterns on the stove's walls. These patterns are made using a unique technique where lime powder is brushed on the stove's wall while it is still wet, allowing the pigment to penetrate and become a permanent part of the stove's surface. This method ensures that the paintings do not fade or fall off, even after decades of use.

A zaotou painting artist works deftly on a stove in Shanghai. [WeChat account: shanghaitourism]

This unique art form involves painting special patterns and designs such as grains, fish, floral and grass motifs, landscapes and animals on household stoves to bring auspiciousness, joy and good fortune to the household.

A display of zaotou paintings in Shanghai. [WeChat account: shanghaitourism]

A display of zaotou paintings in Shanghai. [WeChat account: shanghaitourism]

A display of zaotou paintings in Shanghai. [WeChat account: shanghaitourism]

The art form was recognized as a representative item of Shanghai's intangible cultural heritage in 2007.

Source: "shanghaitourism" WeChat account