In a quiet workshop nestled beneath the Himalayas, Zhou Feng stirs copper pots filled with saffron, sandalwood, and 36 secret herbs. This former Henan native has become an unlikely guardian of Tibetan incense-making – an art form he’s spent 11 years perfecting across China’s western regions. His brand Sangputi now supplies both ancient monasteries and Shanghai high-rises, creating aromatic bridges between tradition and contemporary life.
"The true ingredient isn’t plants, but time," Zhou explains, kneading a dough-like mixture of Nepalese spices and snowmelt water. Each batch cures for three months in yak-skin pouches – a process unchanged since the 7th century. Yet his modern adaptations, like citrus-infused sticks for urban meditation spaces, reveal why UNESCO recently recognized his work as vital intangible cultural heritage.
From Lhasa’s Barkhor Street to Tokyo wellness studios, Zhou’s creations now facilitate what he calls "olfactory diplomacy." As global demand grows for slow-living products, this artisan’s journey highlights Asia’s evolving role in preserving heritage while shaping modern lifestyles.
