A jade carving, shaped like a corncob with two mice on it, is exhibited at a local antique store in Urad Middle Banner, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Often found in the Urad grassland, this type of Gobi jade is especially hard, very smooth, and can be polished to a high gloss. These Gobi jades are usually carved into various shapes including animals, flowers, plants, and human figures. With the extraordinary folk workmanship, these vivid and lifelike handicrafts are not only part of the region’s heritage and historic culture but also benefit local craftsmen and jade merchants. [Photo/Xinhua]

A jade pendant, carved with a mountains-and-rivers landscape, is displayed at a local antique store in Urad Middle Banner, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Often found in the Urad grassland, this type of Gobi jade is especially hard, very smooth, and can be polished to a high gloss. These Gobi jades are usually carved into various shapes including animals, flowers, plants, and human figures. With the extraordinary folk workmanship, these vivid and lifelike handicrafts are not only part of the region’s heritage and historic culture but also benefit local craftsmen and jade merchants. [Photo/Xinhua]