Woodcarving is a traditional craft that popular in Putian, Fujian province. It has been recognized as an expanded national intangible cultural heritage item in the traditional fine arts category.

Putian woodcarving flourished during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, reaching its peak in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. It is renowned for its intricate carving techniques.

In the early Tang Dynasty, the carving craft for temple decorations and Buddha statues began to take shape. By the late Song and early Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties, the carvings of figures and flowers on screens, railings, musical instruments, and furniture had become detailed and vivid. During the Ming Dynasty, craftsmen in Putian excelled in making round-carved Buddha statues and flat-carved architectural decorations.

The traditional woodcarving craft of Putian holds significant artistic value, characterized by meticulous and precise craftsmanship. The traditional crafting process includes selecting suitable wood, creating a clay model, outlining, shaping, polishing, carving details, adding texture, and refining features.

Putian traditional woodcarving products are categorized into temple architectural decorative wood carvings, Buddha statues, and Mazu cultural art wood carvings, among others. According to the material, they are divided into categories such as boxwood, longan wood, root carvings, and natural wood carvings.

Classic masterpieces of Putian traditional woodcarving are preserved in the Palace Museum in Beijing, Fujian Museum, and other museums, where their historical and artistic value will continue to shine through the ages.