Chinese craftsman builds models of ancient ships

55-year-old Li Min, a Chinese model ship builder, makes a last check for his replica of an ancient Chinese cruiser, the Zhiyuan in Penglai, east China’s Shandong province, April 29, 2017. Li Min began his career as a full-time craftsman making ancient-style Chinese ship models in 1995. Usually it takes him several months or even years to complete a model, with every single part of the replica being made by hand. Since 2004, Li has been attempting to restore ships of the Beiyang Fleet, a modernized Chinese navy from the later Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1912), and more than 30 of his works have now been placed in museums. The craftsman is concerned about the aging population of China’s model ship builders, and harbors dreams of creating an open air museum for his models. [Photo: Xinhua]

55-year-old Li Min, a Chinese model ship builder, crafts a replica by hand in Penglai, east China’s Shandong province, April 29, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

55-year-old Li Min, a Chinese model ship builder, makes a last check for his replica of an ancient Chinese cruiser, the Zhiyuan in Penglai, east China’s Shandong province, April 29, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

55-year-old Li Min, a Chinese model ship builder, crafts a replica by hand in Penglai, east China’s Shandong province, April 29, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

55-year-old Li Min, a Chinese model ship builder, crafts a replica by hand in Penglai, east China’s Shandong province, April 29, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]