Liu Shengli, who was born into a sugar art family in Zhengzhou, Henan province, chose to carry on the handicraft after graduating from university despite his father's opposition. He gave up a white collar job and returned to his hometown to become a sugar craftsman.

Liu has breathed new innovation to the folk art by simplifying the tools and creating modern patterns. Apart from the traditional sugar art patterns of the Chinese Zodiac, he creates patterns with modern cartoon characters such as Doraemon and Pleasant Goat.

His work has brought him fame, with many people from China and abroad coming to learn the handicraft from him. Thanks to his hard work, sugar art has been included among the intangible heritages of Zhengzhou city, Henan province.

Liu is now pursuing honey work and the teaching sugar art. He enjoys a stable income.

Liu Shengli works on a dragon made of sugar, in Zhengzhou, Henan province, Nov 13, 2014. [Photo/CFP]