Zaixuan Fan

Zaixuan Fan is a heritage conservation specialist whose four decades at the Dunhuang Academy have advanced the scientific conservation of historic Chinese wall paintings.

In March 2026, he was named one of China’s ten Great Craftspeople of the Year, the only recipient recognised from the field of cultural heritage conservation.

Since joining the Academy in 1981, Fan has personally conserved approximately 500 to 600 square metres of historic wall paintings and more than 50 painted sculptures. His work has extended beyond the Mogao Caves to major heritage sites including the Potala Palace, Norbulingka and Sakya Monastery.

A particular focus of Fan’s research has been the treatment of salt-related deterioration, flaking pigment and detached plaster.

Working with scientific researchers and conservation teams, he has helped identify humidity thresholds associated with soluble-salt damage and develop desalination materials designed to reduce harmful salt concentrations within painted surfaces.

Fan has led or contributed to more than 30 major conservation projects, six national research projects and technical standards, as well as developing two patented conservation materials and processes.

He has also played a significant role in developing the next generation of specialists, training more than 300 wall painting conservators from museums and heritage institutions across China.