Aang Jiancuo, 46, is one of the inheritors of the De'ang Sazhi style of Tibetan Calligraphy, which originated on the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Golog in northwest China's Qinghai Province. The unique art form has been listed as a national intangible culture heritage of China since 2011.

Aang Jiancuo has studied the unique calligraphy by himself from the age of 12, and he studied under Bazhi, the seventh-generation heir of the techniques, starting when he was 27.

De'ang Sazhi Tibetan Calligraphy is in high demand, but the fact that craftsmen must make their own writing implements, paper and ink scares many away from the art form.

Currently, Aang Jiancuo is teaching De'ang Sazhi Tibetan Calligraphy to 152 students who come from many areas of China, including Qinghai, Beijing, Shanghai and southwest China's Sichuan Province. "Protecting this craft is my lifelong dream and I will teach anyone who wants to learn it," he said.

Aang Jiancuo (left), inheritor of the De'ang Sazhi Tibetan Calligraphy, teaches at a classroom in De'ang Temple in Dari County of Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Golog, northwest China's Qinghai Province, on February 15

Aang Jiancuo practices De'ang Sazhi Tibetan Calligraphy

Aang Jiancuo teaches De'ang Sazhi Tibetan Calligraphy to his student Xiequ

Aang Jiancuo checks a student's work

Aang Jiancuo poses for a photo with his students at De'ang Temple