Tang Dahua, a lover of ancient Chinese architecture, visits Chai Zejun, an expert at the Cultural Heritage Bureau of Shanxi Province. [Jiang Yan/Shanghai Daily]

Yi says she can earn 300 yuan per day for repairing murals. “When I was young, I took mural painting as my hobby. But when I got married, this was a way to earn my bread,” she says. “My husband and I eat in the temples, but I don’t want to sleep there — not so clean and convenient.”

Chai Zejun, an expert at the Cultural Heritage Bureau of Shanxi province, says that mural repair demands a lot of precision.

“Today, some methods seem to protect mural paintings but can actually destroy them,” he says. “Those who have no idea of how to protect mural paintings will add a glass window to it, but the increased moisture will soon ruin the piece.”

He cites another example: The right concentrations of glue and alum must be put onto the painting to prevent a ruinous fading of the colors. This demands repeated experiments on one corner.

“First the dust on the wall needs to be wiped off, and then one will use a soft brush soaked with water that is mixed with glue and alum to paint on the wall,” he says. “But it is only a one-chance process, otherwise the colors will drop.”

Chai carries deep knowledge of ancient buildings and mural paintings, as he has decades of experience in the field.

“I strongly suggest that universities in Shanxi province establish some majors in the protection of ancient buildings, mural paintings and ancient sculptures,” he says.

“Maybe this is not feasible at the moment,” he adds. “I just hope that more and more volunteers for cultural heritage will join us.”

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