BEIJING, March 24, 2009 -- From ancient times, Chinese people have realized the artistic value of the fan. Scholars inscribed improvised poems on it, and painters covered them with elaborate brushwork. The techniques of making the covers and ribs has also made them more appealing, and they've become a firm favorite of collectors.

The techniques of making the covers and ribs has also made them more appealing, and they've become a firm favorite of collectors.

Each of the fans has a unique story. For some years, fan collection was on the decline. But now it's regained its popularity, especially in the Chinese capital.

The popularity of calligraphy and painting encourages fan collecting. Some of the fans can be sold for 40 thousand yuan, or 6 thousand US Dollars.

To the collectors, the fan is not a simple item, but a combination of calligraphy, painting and sculpting.

Zhang Wang is a typical Beijing guy who grew up with coca cola and Hollywood cartoons. He was accidentally introduced to a fan collector and was immediately addicted to it. To give his collection a place to show off, he even opened a store.

In most of the antique markets in Beijing, fan stores are more and more popular. To the collectors, the fan is not a simple item, but a combination of calligraphy, painting and sculpting. Its integrated artistic value makes it the favor of the month.