Locally made wicker products are displayed at the Olvy garden in Linshu. [Photo provided by Liang Ben/For China Daily]

"Weaving willow lets me turn my passion into a career. That makes my work deeply rewarding," says Zhao.

While inheriting tradition, local practitioners keep innovating to inject vitality into the ancient craft.

"Traditional craftsmanship shouldn't be confined to old designs," says Zhang, who has learned willow weaving since childhood. He combines willow with iron, wood, rattan and straw, blending traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics to expand the product range.

His company has developed more than 20,000 designs and color options of willow products, with over 90 percent exported to markets including the United States, Spain and Japan.