A small shop in Beijing has been producing these old-style playthings to compete with modern toys. (Photo: CCTV.com) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Feb. 21 -- Mass produced playthings dominate the market,but the traditional art of toy-making is also receiving attention. A small shop in Beijing has been producing these old-style playthings to compete with modern toys.

    This is Beijing's only traditional toy shop, and it's just a single room tucked down a narrow street in the capital city.

    The shop is a family business and all of the toys here are hand made.

    The advent of the Year of the Rat means people are especially interested in toys depicting mice. This paper mouse can move back and forth by pulling a string.

    The shop's trademark products are these clay or paper rabbits called "Tu'er Ye".

    According to Chinese folklore the figure depicts a pharmacist living in the moon. And people nowadays consider it as a blessing for good health.

    The Tang family turned their house into a shop in 2002.

    The family's toy-making is a Manchu tradition that dates back to the Qing Dynasty.

    And when the dynasty fell the hobby became a trade passed from one generation to the next.

    In 2005, these handicrafts were listed as an intangible heritage of Beijing esuring the Qing Dynasty toy tradition will survive alongside Barbie dolls.

    (Source: CCTV.com)