Barber's background gives him cutting edge over rivals

"Calligraphy practice and training gave me a very strong, yet dexterous wrist when handling the razor. I realized this after my customers said they could never find another shave like mine," he says.

Ren named the barber shop, located at the corner of a narrow street, Mianzi, which means appearance.

"The shop is named Mianzi because it is very important for people to keep good appearances. A lot of young people come regularly to my shop because they care a lot about how they look," he says.

The shop's traditional Chinese decor stands in contrast to modern beauty salons, reflecting Ren's commitment to tradition. Oldtime pop songs serve as the background music in the shop.

Clients pay 38 yuan ($5.3) for each session, which includes a haircut and a head and neck massage. Ren's use of vapor adds a touch of comfort to the experience.