Pei has been a guest professor at institutions, such as Xinjiang Arts University, where he teaches students about the aesthetics behind Xinjiang handmade carpets, hoping to ignite the younger generation's interest in this ancient craft.

Qadirdin Muhabbat, 34, chairman of Hotan's handmade carpet industry association, is working to find new opportunities for handmade carpets.

The son of an established designer, Qadirdin remembers waking up every day to see his father up and drawing patterns. His parents run a carpet factory.

He graduated from Jimei University in Xiamen, Fujian province, in 2016 and returned home, torn about whether to take over the family business.

Later, he had the chance to study carpet design at Xinjiang Arts University for three months.

"I learned about the origins and meanings of patterns commonly seen on Hotan carpets. People often express their wishes through these patterns," he says. For example, wave patterns reflect local people's desire for water — Hotan is located on the edge of the Taklimakan Desert.