Building miniature models of the big world

Peng spared no effort when it came to the details, including fixtures such as the eight bells on each floor. These tiny bells, which he created using scrap metal, could even be rung.

"No one would tell you how to create each part and you just have to rely on your imagination. I find that this is the most difficult part about creating miniature models," he says.

When asked about his favorite works, Peng singled out the re-creation of the shops and streets of Sijing town that he used to frequent when he was young.

"All these shops, such as the parasol shop, the scissors shop and the traditional cloth shop, that I have restored no longer exist. I recreated them based solely on my memories－there was just nothing for me to reference," he says.

Despite being skilled in the art form, Peng says he has no desire to teach, not because he is afraid others might surpass him, but because he has no idea how he would go about teaching.

"There are many people who have said that they want to learn from me, but I do not have an apprentice as I simply don't know how to teach," he quips.

"I'm a self-taught artist. I don't have books or notes that I can pass to my students."

Peng says his upcoming projects include recreating shikumen buildings in Shanghai and the Tian'anmen Rostrum in Beijing.