Poli town in Qingdao West Coast New Area is a famous production base for straw paintings.

Straw painting is a traditional craft in the Chinese countryside. It originated during the Sui Dynasty (581-618), prospered in the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, and gained popularity in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

The artworks are made from wheat straw and are usually shaped into representational images. The delicate handicraft requires more than 20 steps to complete, including fuming, drawing, carving, ironing and pasting.

Wheat straw painting has become a special industry in Poli town and has boosted local farmers' income.

A folk artist in Poli town, Qingdao West Coast New Area creates a flower from wheat straw on July 28. [Photo/VCG]

A designer works at a local straw painting workshop in Poli town, Qingdao West Coast New Area on July 28. [Photo/VCG]

A delicate wheat straw painting depicting the Qingdao International Beer Festival [Photo/VCG]

A folk artist displays straw paintings. Wheat straw is a symbol of harvest and wealth in traditional Chinese culture. [Photo/VCG]

An artist works at a local straw painting workshop in Poli town, Qingdao West Coast New Area on July 28. [Photo/VCG]

Wheat straw has been turned into exquisite handicrafts such as figures, landscapes, flowers and animals. [Photo/VCG]

A decorative household item made from wheat straw [Photo/VCG]

A folk artist works on a wheat straw painting on July 28 in Poli town, Qingdao West Coast New Area. [Photo/VCG]