Stones in Western culture symbolize a blank, unfeeling world. But Chinese culture looks upon a stone as having a warm, if speechless spirit.

"A stone does not speak, but it does express," says Jia Baoyu, a character in classical Chinese novel, "Dream of Red Mansions," also known as "Records of Stones."

One of the best-known types of stone across China is the famous Qingtian or green field stone, named after its place of origin, Qingtian County in East China's Zhejiang Province.

According to Wang Weigang, a stone carver from Qingtian County, Qingtian stone is dug out of mountains. Despite all modern technological developments, there is just one way a miner can be sure the quality of Qingtian stone is good enough for carving - he licks it with his tongue to assess its hardness.

"A hard stone is not so suitable for carving as a softer one," said Wang, "that's why carvers prefer Qingtian stones."

Qingtian stone looks like jade, but as a rule, superior Qingtian stones cost more than ordinary jade.

"Qingtian stones are easier to carve with than jade," said Wang.

The stones have different colours and can be carved into different shapes including seals, animals, fairies and plants.

Chinese stone-carving follows the natural shape and colour of every stone. On a multi-coloured stone, one can carve several subjects. For instance, on a white-green stone, a mini-sculpture of a Buddha and a tree is carved.

Qingtian stone carving has a complicated style. "Carvers like to show off their skills through the style," said Wang.

More than 590 Qingtian stone sculptures are now on display at Shanghai Art Gallery.

Time: 9:00am-5:00pm till Feb 10

Place: 456 Nanjing Road W.

Admission: 5 yuan

Tel: 6327-0557