Interlocking past with present

Beyond hands-on restoration work, Wang also pioneered an innovative model for training a new generation of skilled craftsmen, which emphasizes the integration of hands-on experience, project management expertise, and a strong sense of responsibility.

He says he wants to instruct his young audience what his mentors did to him. At the start of his career, Wang envied classmates living in the city, working in comfortable offices and earning better salaries.

"In contrast, my working conditions were tough back then — dirty, exhausting, and poorly paid," Wang says.

But all that changed while accompanying architectural scholar Luo Zhewen on a trip across Shanxi, when Wang saw Luo, then in his 60s, fearlessly climb the beams of the Yingxian pagoda to study its structure up close. That moment of devotion and passion struck a chord with the young man.

"Learning directly from such a dedicated mentor was eye-opening," he says, adding that from then on, the idea of leaving never crossed his mind again.

He views traditional buildings not merely as structures, but as a cultural encyclopedia. "Each one embodies layers of history — politics, economy, religion, art, and craftsmanship. It's an expression of China's ancient civilization," he says.

Though he officially retired from the Shanxi bureau in 2000, Wang didn't leave work behind. Drawing on decades of field experience and the invaluable techniques he learned from veteran craftsmen, he wrote a series of books and academic papers to document traditional restoration methods.

He also began teaching a course on conservation and restoration of ancient buildings at Taiyuan Normal University.

His students' enthusiasm for the subject encouraged him to explore new ways of making ancient architecture more accessible, especially to the younger generation.

At their suggestion, Wang started a social media account called Dougong Class about two years ago.

For the man in his 70s, entering the world of vlogging was no small feat but with guidance from his grandson, he has learned how to operate filming equipment, edit videos, and share content online.

But mastering technology was just the first challenge.

"I couldn't just recite complex theory," Wang says. "I had to make it fun, make it understandable — only then would people listen."

So he began using models that could be dismantled and hand-drawn diagrams to break down complicated architectural elements like dougong brackets, hip-and-gable roofs, and large beam structures.

His accessible and creative approach quickly captured public attention. In 2023, the viral success of the video game Black Myth: Wukong sparked a surge of interest in traditional architecture. Wang's account rode the wave, picking up over 20 million views and helping cultivate an online community of architecture enthusiasts.

So far, his videos have amassed more than 80 million views across different platforms.

Yang Xiaofan, an architecture student from Guangzhou, Guangdong province, is one of Wang's followers.

"His videos dissect every bracket set … helping me grasp not just the 'how' but the 'why'," Yang says.

Du Yushi from Liaoning province says she binge-watched Wang's videos before visiting Shanxi. "Seeing the Jinci Temple brackets in person after his explanations made the trip unforgettable."

Wang's wife Yao Zi'e is also supportive of his work. "A fulfilling life leaves the world better. This work gives him purpose — you see it in his energy and health," she says.

Wang also passed the driver's license in 2023 to better access heritage sites, most of which are tucked away off the beaten track.

Speaking of his drive for teaching after retirement, Wang says he'd like to help preserve the vanishing techniques of master craftsmen.

"It pains me to see irreplaceable skills fade away with their practitioners," says the man who describes himself as having the spirit of a 20-year-old. "I'm rooted in tradition but embrace new ways."

"To me, a blackboard and a camera lens serve the same purpose, both are vehicles for passing on knowledge. The stage has just grown bigger, and with it, my responsibility."