Custom pet portrait service injects vitality to centuries-old neighborhood in Xi'an, northwest China

Artist Chen Lihua displays a pet dog portrait painted by herself in Shuyuanmen historical and cultural district in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2026. Nestled near Beilin, meaning "the forest of stone steles" in Chinese, the Shuyuanmen historical and cultural district is a natural hub for Chinese calligraphy and painting arts. The district is now witnessing a rise in custom pet portrait services. Blending traditional artistic techniques with modern aesthetics, those offerings are winning the hearts of both pet lovers and tourists, bringing fresh and lively energy into this centuries-old neighborhood. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

A tourist selects pet portrait paintings in Shuyuanmen historical and cultural district in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2026. Nestled near Beilin, meaning "the forest of stone steles" in Chinese, the Shuyuanmen historical and cultural district is a natural hub for Chinese calligraphy and painting arts. The district is now witnessing a rise in custom pet portrait services. Blending traditional artistic techniques with modern aesthetics, those offerings are winning the hearts of both pet lovers and tourists, bringing fresh and lively energy into this centuries-old neighborhood. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Artist Chen Lihua displays a pet dog portrait painted by herself in Shuyuanmen historical and cultural district in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2026. Nestled near Beilin, meaning "the forest of stone steles" in Chinese, the Shuyuanmen historical and cultural district is a natural hub for Chinese calligraphy and painting arts. The district is now witnessing a rise in custom pet portrait services. Blending traditional artistic techniques with modern aesthetics, those offerings are winning the hearts of both pet lovers and tourists, bringing fresh and lively energy into this centuries-old neighborhood. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

An artist paints a pet portrait in Shuyuanmen historical and cultural district in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2026. Nestled near Beilin, meaning "the forest of stone steles" in Chinese, the Shuyuanmen historical and cultural district is a natural hub for Chinese calligraphy and painting arts. The district is now witnessing a rise in custom pet portrait services. Blending traditional artistic techniques with modern aesthetics, those offerings are winning the hearts of both pet lovers and tourists, bringing fresh and lively energy into this centuries-old neighborhood. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Pet portrait paintings are displayed in Shuyuanmen historical and cultural district in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2026. Nestled near Beilin, meaning "the forest of stone steles" in Chinese, the Shuyuanmen historical and cultural district is a natural hub for Chinese calligraphy and painting arts. The district is now witnessing a rise in custom pet portrait services. Blending traditional artistic techniques with modern aesthetics, those offerings are winning the hearts of both pet lovers and tourists, bringing fresh and lively energy into this centuries-old neighborhood. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

An artist paints a pet cat portrait based on a photo provided by a customer in Shuyuanmen historical and cultural district in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2026. Nestled near Beilin, meaning "the forest of stone steles" in Chinese, the Shuyuanmen historical and cultural district is a natural hub for Chinese calligraphy and painting arts. The district is now witnessing a rise in custom pet portrait services. Blending traditional artistic techniques with modern aesthetics, those offerings are winning the hearts of both pet lovers and tourists, bringing fresh and lively energy into this centuries-old neighborhood. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

An artist paints a pet portrait in Shuyuanmen historical and cultural district in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2026. Nestled near Beilin, meaning "the forest of stone steles" in Chinese, the Shuyuanmen historical and cultural district is a natural hub for Chinese calligraphy and painting arts. The district is now witnessing a rise in custom pet portrait services. Blending traditional artistic techniques with modern aesthetics, those offerings are winning the hearts of both pet lovers and tourists, bringing fresh and lively energy into this centuries-old neighborhood. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)